Full Paper(1) Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
ABSTRACT
In floodplain ecosystems, frogs can be useful indicators of the effect that inundation, both natural and man-aged, has on floodplain biota. Thus, frogs are often targeted in biodiversity monitoring programs to report against management objectives. Acoustic monitoring has increasingly been adopted as a survey tool, enabling the collection of substantial volumes of acoustic data across large temporal and geographic scales. For six consecutive spring-summer seasons, we sampled soundscapes at 36 long-term monitoring sites in Barmah-Millewa Forest, a protected floodplain complex on the mid-Murray River on the Victoria-NSW border. We de-veloped a 1-dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to analyse the resulting data, trained using field-collected call exemplars of 15 frog species. Validation by human listeners demonstrates good performance of the CNN model in classifying calls to species. We compiled covariates for each site-year combination, includ-ing daily estimated temperature and rainfall data, annual flooding extent, daily operational data for regulators that control floodplain inundation, and a time-series of remote-sensed hydrological status at each site. We used a multi-season model to explore the effects of hydrological, climatic and site type factors on occupancy and calling activity of six frog species in each monitored year. Across sites and years, calling activity was pos-itively associated with wetness, and generally varied more between species and across years than did occu-pancy. Remote-sensed average wetness within 100 m of a recorder generally positively affected occupancy, however the magnitude and importance of this effect varied across species. Active management of site inunda-tion generally positively impacted calling rates at regulated sites. These results characterise relationships be-tween calling activity in floodplain frog communities and remote-sensed site inundation status for the first time and will assist in developing recommendations to support frog populations during managed water deliveries.
(1) School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia (2) Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Western Australia, Australia
ABSTRACT
Vocal culture in songbirds refers to the repertoire of vocalisations individuals learn as juveniles to communicate with and differentiate conspecifics. The vocal culture of the Kyloriny, like many threatened and cryptic bird species, is incompletely documented and poorly understood. An understanding of vocal culture can be applied usefully when assessing the current and past viability of populations, and when conducting advanced acoustical analyses, such as identifying individual birds and the number of calling birds in audio recordings. Our study in progress is documenting the vocal culture of the Kyloriny and how it has changed over the last 20 years of declines to determine the vulnerability of the species to culture loss, and to widen the scope of acoustic analyses researchers can use to study the species' ecology and demography in their natural range. We compiled and quantified a vocalisation repertoire for the Kyloriny by analysing 380 hours of current and historic audio recordings of wild and captive populations. With a set of linear and non-linear dimensionality reduction algorithms we quantified variation between vocalisation types and determined the set of acoustical features on which vocalisations can be quantitatively compared. We present an initial compilation and description of the vocal culture of the Kyloriny over the last two decades. Additional research is necessary to quantify the cost to fitness incurred by loss of vocal culture in the species.
(1) CSIRO, Australia; Museums Victoria, Melbourne, Australia (2) CSIRO, Australia; Cambriana Ecology, Townsville, Australia (3) CSIRO, Australia; Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Australia; (4) CSIRO, Australia
ABSTRACT
Invasive species are a major threat to biodiversity worldwide, with significant impacts in protected areas and agriculture. While eradication and containment prevent new incursions, monitoring invasive stablished species and their impacts is important to design and implement control measures. Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) are the third greatest threat to native fauna in Australia, and monitoring is context dependent being often constrained by costs and scalability limitations. In this study the use of acoustic monitoring for feral pig monitoring was tested and compared to unbaited camera traps. The acoustic data was scanned with a custom-build deep-learning recogniser leveraging from BirdNET and image data was manually scanned. The results were used in a multi-season occupancy model to determine detection probability of each method and the influence of the environment in detections. Later detections from both methods were combined to investigate occupancy in relation to environmental variables. The results show little spatio-temporal overlap between image and sound detections, highlighting the complementarity of methods. Results of the occupancy model indicate that images and sound detections alone have different detection probability, influenced by different environmental factors. Combining monitoring methods can provide complementary information on the same species: while acoustics can have a larger detection radius, camera trap can provide individual identification. The use of new technologies for conservation should be leveraged, but there are still improvements to be made in accessibility. Passive sensing tools and technological advances in analysis algorithms can help to increase monitoring coverage and assist in data driven land management for conservation.
(1) Conservation Council of WA, West Perth, Australia; Murdoch University, Perth, Australia (2) University of Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
ABSTRACT
Acoustic monitoring and trapping remain key methods for surveying echolocating bats, each with distinct strengths and limitations. Trapping provides direct evidence of species presence, sex, and age class but is labour-intensive and often biased toward certain species. Acoustic surveys are less invasive and offer broader spatial coverage but are constrained by call overlap, species-specific behaviours, incomplete call libraries and variation in detectability.
This study compared trapping and acoustic monitoring data collected over 23 nights at 12 sites across southwest Western Australia. We tested the use of Autobat acoustic lures broadcasting synthesised bat calls to attract individuals to harp traps. Lures increased overall capture rate by 4.5 times across all eight species caught, including Nyctophilus spp. and Falsistrellus mackenziei, which were under-represented in concurrent acoustic recordings. Trapping also enabled the collection of high-quality echolocation reference calls, addressing key gaps in regional call libraries.
At each trapping site we piloted passive acoustic monitoring to expand coverage and document bat activity of those avoiding traps. Preliminary results highlight the value of combining trapping with acoustic monitoring to improve species detection and enhance survey design. This integrated approach supports more effective planning for bat conservation.
(1) School of Architecture, Design and Planning, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia (2) School of Architecture, Design and Planning, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
ABSTRACT
Focusing retroreflectors are capable of providing a high level of voice support for a nearby talker in the high frequency range, particularly at 2 kHz and above. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential use of focusing retroreflectors to enhance voice support for teachers in classrooms, thereby improving acoustic conditions for speaking with the potential to reduce vocal strain. Pelegrín-García's prediction model for the average voice support in a room was extended to include the contribution of special reflectors to enumerate the potential of a focusing retroreflector installation to improve voice support for a talker. A prediction model with retroreflection shows that STv values significantly improve across different room volumes with various reverberation times. Based on the prediction model, two types of real rooms (small and large) were selected. Oral-binaural room impulse responses were measured, to which retroreflective energy obtained from a different room was subsequently added through signal processing in order to examine the voice support achievable in the rooms under the assumption that retroreflectors are installed. The results show that the addition of retroreflective energy increased STv values in both rooms, with a particularly significant enhancement in the level of voice support observed in the larger and more absorptive room. The study indicates that focusing retroreflectors could serve as an effective architectural treatment to improve voice support for teachers in classrooms in which reverberant support is insufficient.
(1) Resonate Consultants, Sydney, Australia
ABSTRACT
As successive Sydney Metro lines have been procured and delivered, the STI requirements for stations have shifted from a baseline of STI ≥ 0.50, as applied in earlier projects like City & Southwest, to a more stringent threshold of STI ≥ 0.54, with even higher targets in key locations. While the numerical increase appears modest, reduced tolerance for shortfalls, increased requirements for integration, and broader coverage expectations have significantly raised the design and construction burden. Speech intelligibility remains essential for safety and accessibility, but achieving these elevated targets poses increasing challenges within the architectural and operational constraints of underground stations. This paper presents a case-based analysis using an EASE model of a prototypical metro station, developed from current and proposed designs to evaluate the STI improvement achievable through incremental acoustic treatment. Real-world constraints on speaker placement and absorption, including platform screen doors, tunnel walls, plant, and wayfinding are explicitly modelled. Cost per STI increment is analysed using actual project data. The results reveal a point of diminishing returns, where marginal intelligibility gains demand disproportionately greater investment and coordination. The paper argues that while STI remains a valid performance metric, its implementation in guidelines must more realistically reflect the practical limitations of underground station design and construction. It offers data-driven recommendations to support the development of more achievable and context-sensitive performance targets.
(1) ACOR Consultants Pty Ltd (2) AKA Acoustics
ABSTRACT
Clear and effective communication is essential in hospital emergency departments (ED), where the timely and accurate exchange of information can significantly influence patient outcomes. This case study examines chal-lenges related to speech intelligibility at triage counters within a busy urban ED. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates environmental assessments, and staff input to identify the primary factors that hinder verbal communication between patients and healthcare providers. Findings indicate that elevated ambi-ent noise, inadequate acoustic design, protective barriers, speaker accents, and the distance and orientation between speakers and listeners all contribute to reduced speech clarity. These issues lead to frequent mis-communication, repeated exchanges, and delays in patient triage, ultimately affecting the efficiency and safety of care delivery. Staff members reported vocal strain and fatigue, while patients—especially elderly individuals and those with limited English proficiency—had difficulty comprehending spoken instructions. Based on the findings, a set of acoustic design recommendations was proposed and implemented by the hospital, following a comprehensive compliance review involving fire safety, infection control, and constructability, without com-promising ED functionality. Feedback from hospital authorities indicated notable improvements in speech intel-ligibility for both staff and patients, leading to a more effective aural environment in this complex clinical set-ting.
(1) Soundmask
ABSTRACT
Sound masking increases the background sound level for the purposes of reducing either or both the im-pact of intrusive noise and the intelligibility of speech privacy. It is also a solution that offers a unique flexi-bility to reduce distracting noise within open plan and agile work spaces. This is increasingly important as activity-based office design becomes the norm. Using three Perth-based case studies, we demonstrate how sound masking can solve acoustic dissatisfaction while working within the agile requirements of the modern office. The 360 Medico Legal case study provides an example of scalability. The Alcoa case study demon-strates how zoning integrates flexibility into the design. The Department of Justice case study highlights how comfortable acoustics can be achieved with biophilic design principles. We then outline the importance of design in sound masking to ensure user comfort. Finally, we compare the measured masking range with the recommended design range in the AS/NZS 2107:2016 standard.
(1) Queensland University of Technology (2) Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
ABSTRACT
Automated birdsong detection models are becoming essential tools for surveying cryptic and threatened spe-cies, yet species with highly variable vocalisations and complex repertoires can present significant classifica-tion challenges. This study presents an overview of a machine learning approach applied to the critically en-dangered Australian species Eastern Bristlebird (Dasyornis brachypterus). The Eastern Bristlebird's northern population has fewer than 50 individuals remaining in the wild following decades of habitat loss and altered fire regimes. These ground-dwelling birds inhabit dense grassy forest understorey, making visual detection ex-tremely challenging, but they have a diverse and complex repertoire with highly variable song. Our methodolo-gy centres on a shallow neural network architecture designed to identify vocal classes and generalise to differ-ing song types with minimal training data requirements, coupled with unsupervised feature analysis for reper-toire investigation. Despite their architectural simplicity, our shallow networks produce effective results with minimal training data. Clustering analysis using global birdsong embeddings was also performed enabling rep-ertoire characterisation, investigation of call type variations, and site-specific vocal patterns. These methods offer promising avenues for automated monitoring of species with complex vocal repertoires, with the potential for improved conservation management and population assessment.
(1) Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Victoria
ABSTRACT
To efficiently analyse large acoustic datasets collected for birds, frogs, bats and terrestrial mammals, we de-veloped a 1-dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) system of models which provides advantages over more commonly employed 2-D networks. Like a 2-D 'image-recognition' network, the 1-D network may accept spectrographic representation of the audio, but additionally it can utilise any other time-dependent indi-ces of audio information. A further advantage is that 1-D CNNs are not required to 'complete-the-square' image that is commonly required to shoehorn the audio dataset to 2-D CNNs. Thus 1-D CNNs can accept a wider vari-ety of information and better match the structure of the data. This becomes apparent when considering the di-versity of ecoacoustics applications supported by our 1-D CNN system. Microbat research requires audio at 192-500 kHz sampling rates. Frog, bird and koala datasets can use lower sampling rates and our library for these groups comprises recordings of 48 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 24 kHz or even 22.05 kHz. Models must be tuned not only to their target species, but also to their target dataset and thus are generally bespoke. A 1-D CNN system, combined with custom data sampling strategies and a database to keep track of the design, production and application of the models, allows the efficient production of bespoke models with high accuracy classification. These models have been used to process acoustic data on a single workstation at rates up to 300 sec-onds/second. This effectively means that one year's worth of 24/7 recordings can be processed in a little over a day on a moderately powerful workstation. We present two models exemplifying the system's utility and ac-curacy. The first is a bat call recogniser model for 16 species in southwest Victoria, Australia. This model ac-cepts recordings at 192 kHz and above to process 0.75 second sound samples. It supplies these samples as 1,124 frames x 163 parameters matrices to a 1-D CNN created within TensorFlow. It has an average accuracy of 90.5% for species identification. The second model is for 15 frog species in Victoria, for application to recordings at 48 kHz. This model is based on 70 frames of 163 parameters per 1.5-second sound sample and aver-ages 96.8% accuracy in species identifications. All models created within our system are supported by our field data processing software ARISA and validation using our publicly available software ARIEL.
(1) Wood, 240 St Georges Terrace, Perth, Western Australia
ABSTRACT
The declining population of the Australian native ghost bat (Macroderma gigas) has resulted in extensive monitoring programs, including passive acoustic monitoring. Detection of the ghost bat's social and echolocation calls can be used to inform management and conservation actions. Analysis of acoustic datasets to identify ghost bat calls is currently performed by a small number of experts who review audio recordings. However, this analysis is time consuming due to the ghost bat's diverse and complex calls and the massive data sets that are gathered. Machine learning (ML) models can efficiently process these data sets to provide significant time and cost benefits over current analysis methods without sacrificing accuracy. This paper explores the process of optimising an ML model using a large dataset of audio recordings from 10 ghost bat roosts spread across the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Average improvements of 16% in precision and 13% in recall were achieved across all sites by expanding the spatial and temporal range of the training datasets and tuning the detection thresholds for each site. The ML model had an average of 95% precision and 80% recall across all sites.
(1) Centre for Audio, Acoustics and Vibration CAAV, School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia (2) Chair of Cyber-Physical Systems in Mechanical Engineering, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany (3) School of Engineering and Technology, University of New South Wales, Northcott Dr, Canberra, ACT, 2612, Australia
ABSTRACT
Data-driven identification and reconstruction of vibroacoustic signals receive extensive interest in studying insects' locomotion mechanisms for bioacoustics and robotics applications. However, the nonlinearity and complexity of locomotion dynamics challenge the recovery of the governing equations when handling noisy measurements. Reservoir computing is regarded as a class of recurrent neural networks inspired by the structure of the human brain, consisting of a set of neurons and randomly selected synapses that efficiently operate on different learning tasks. It has emerged as an efficient and interpretable tool for identifying and rep-resenting nonlinear dynamics in a grey-box fashion without requiring sparsity constraints over a pre-selected library of basis functions. Along this direction, this study presents results on a novel reservoir computing framework for implicitly discovering the governing equations from input-output data driven from simulations of insect locomotion dynamics. It also provides insights on the calibration of reservoir hyperparameters and visualises the search domain for prediction tasks. It further compares the validation accuracy of computer reservoirs when dealing with additive deterministic noise. From the results demonstrated on numerical examples, it is concluded that reservoir computers can provide competitive performance, offering good efficiency and ac-curacy subject to appropriate hyperparameter calibration and pruning redundant neurons and synapses.
(1) Macau Instituto de Acustica, Macao SAR, China (2) Faculty of Business, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao SAR, China
ABSTRACT
Ecoacoustics—the study of environmental soundscapes as indicators of ecological condition—has emerged as a promising tool for urban innovation. As cities worldwide strive for carbon neutrality, nature-positive infrastructure, and climate resilience, ecoacoustics offers a unique, acoustics-driven lens to monitor change, assess environmental quality, and engage communities.
This study undertakes a desk-based review of the development and application of ecoacoustic methods within urban and peri-urban settings. It explores how passive acoustic monitoring, soundscape indices, and long-term audio datasets are being used to support nature-based solutions, track biodiversity in green infrastructure, and evaluate co-benefits of decarbonisation efforts. Case studies from academic literature, policy reports, and monitoring platforms are analysed to highlight how ecoacoustics is influencing decision-making in sectors such as transport, land restoration, and city planning.
While ecoacoustics is well established in ecological research, its potential contribution to urban acoustics, environmental assessment, and smart city platforms remains underexplored. This review aims to position ecoacoustics within the broader acoustics discipline—demonstrating how sound-based monitoring can complement traditional noise assessments and offer new pathways for sustainable urban development. Key gaps, standardisation challenges, and opportunities for integration into existing acoustic practice are also discussed.
Te Herenga Wake - Victoria University of Wellington
ABSTRACT
Ecoacoustic research methods have expanded to in-situ recording of the sounds of soil. Studies to date have found soil acoustic complexity and diversity positively correlate with soil invertebrate abundance and richness, building evidence that soil ecoacoustics has the potential to help measure and monitor soil biodiversity.
Here farmers were exposed to soil sounds using a specialised contact microphone. In-field observations and interview transcripts were analysed taking a post-phenomenological approach to answer the question "What are farmers lived experience of the soil? Does this technological, sensory-extension change that experience and their perception of the soil?"
At the time of submitting this abstract, preliminary findings have revealed the farm as an ecosemiotic landscape, with semiosis closely linked to affordance. Farmers contextualised the experience of listening to the soil within their existing soil knowledge, expressing interest in ecoacoustics if it were able to be linked to affordance through quantitative data.
This research seeks to add a qualitative perspective to the growing interest in soil ecoacoustics. Specifically using post-phenomenology, ecosemiotics and ecological psychology analysis in ecoacoustic and soundscape research, exploring how people make meaning from the hidden sounds of the landscape through their lived experience.
(1) Centre for Audio, Acoustics and Vibration CAAV, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo NSW 2007, Australia (2) Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, 10123, Turin, Italy (3) Institute for Integrative Systems Biology I2SysBio, CSIC-Universitat de Valencia, Paterna, 46908, Valencia, Spain
ABSTRACT
Bees are among the most important pollinators for crops and wild plants. Surveys show global food production is affected due to the decline in the bee population and activity. Most of these studies concerned with the honeybees and their monitoring have been developed for commercial purposes, however, recent research highlights the vital role solitary bee species play in native ecosystems, serving as highly effective pollinators for specific plants. In contrast, honeybees may pose an ecological threat by competing for food resources, potentially disrupting local pollinator dynamics. Hence, there have been efforts to understand the ecology of pollination using acoustic signal detection through passive monitoring with classification to analyse ecosystem dynamics. In general, these studies are based on the identification of the frequency-related features in the signal using machine learning and artificial neural networks, e.g., harmonics, spectral power, and distribution of spectrum. As the flying sound generated by the bees is due to the aeroacoustics of flapping wings, it is difficult to identify species with similar size and wing beat frequencies. However, there has been little understanding of using time series analysis for feature extraction and identification in their acoustic signals. In this study, we show that time series analysis, which is also able to discover nonlinear features, can overcome the above issue. Using the European honeybee (Apis mellifera) as a readily available model species, prior to aiming at analysing solitary bees, we analyse the acoustic signals of the species recorded in the wild with nonlinear time series analysis, especially recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) to show the difference between flying behaviour for the species. RQA shows that recurrence time and recurrence time entropy for hovering are higher than leaving a flower signal at a statistically significant level. Furthermore, using the dynamic feature preserving geometric filter-GHKSS-we could resolve the phase-space trajectory from noisy information, which shows time varying phase-space trajectory for the signal.
(1) Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University
ABSTRACT
The Omura's whale (Balaenoptera omurai) is one of the most recently described species of baleen whale. This study describes the acoustic features of Omura's whale vocalisations detected in northern Australia across five geographic regions. The most commonly observed vocalisation was a two-unit 'doublet' between 17-52 Hz with a ~ 25.5 Hz peak frequency and ~15 s duration. The doublet was rhythmically, repeated for extended periods of time, in typical baleen whale song structure, suggesting it is a male breeding display. Presence of song was recorded year-round with seasonal peaks in density from October to May. In well studied baleen species, males generally sing more during twilight or night than during the day. However, there was no distinct diel or lunar pat-terns in Omura's whale song. A one-unit 'singlet' vocalisation was also observed in the lower-latitude locations off the northwest in the same frequency range with shorter duration. In the Great Barrier Reef, doublet vocalisa-tions similar, but not identical, to the known Omura's whale vocalisations were observed, identifying a possible acoustic population of the species in the Pacific Ocean. Omura's whale song has been observed to vary across geographical regions both within an ocean and across multiple oceans. Given there are still many knowledge gaps on the species, geographic variation of song may be an effective measure to gain a baseline understanding of Omura's whale populations globally and to monitor species movements, as has been utilised in well studied baleen whale species.
(1) Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University (2) Australian Antarctic Division
ABSTRACT
Antarctic minke whales are amongst the most abundant baleen whale species found in higher latitude waters of Antarctica. Despite their abundance, little is currently known on their acoustic behaviour within these waters and site usage outside of Antarctica. As such, the conservation and management of these species continues to be an ongoing challenge. Our research focuses on geographic differences in Antarctic minke whale bio-duck vocalisations in the East Indian and Southern Ocean. Utilising passive acoustic monitoring data collected across over two decades in Western Australia and East Antarctica, the spatiotemporal patterns and acoustic diversity of these vocalisations are described and compared. In Western Australia, bio-duck presence peaked in the Perth Canyon during July and August, with peak bio-duck presence also reported in the Pilbara region during October. In general, for the East Antarctic datasets, bio-duck presence peaked from June to October across all years. Additionally, unique, site-specific bio-ducks are reported, alongside instances of "call switching". This research represents the first efforts to compare the seasonal distributions and vocal diversity of these regions. Understanding the acoustic behaviour of this species will assist in improving future acoustic monitoring efforts and ultimately contribute to a more robust assessment of this species in rapidly changing environments such as the Antarctic.
(1) Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University, Perth WA 6102 (2) Centre for Whale Research WA Inc., PO Box 1622, Fremantle, WA 6959, Australia (3) Bush Heritage Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia (4) Australia Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
ABSTRACT
The Australian EEZ supports ten mysticete species that use its productive waters for feeding and breeding, each emitting downsweeping calls that overlap acoustically. To hone in on Eastern Indian Ocean pygmy blue whale (EIOPBW) downsweeps, we compared two approaches: a spectrogram correlator leveraging known EIOPBW templates, and a neural network trained on generic blue whale D-calls with subsequent clustering. Expert bioacousticians then vetted all candidate detections. Our analysis revealed that downsweep calls form a continuous spectrum of acoustic variation rather than discrete clusters, and many EIOPBW variants closely resemble downsweeps of other species, complicating species-level assignment based solely on call shape. Nonetheless, mapping detections against seasonal and geographic expectations for EIOPBWs improved confidence in species attribution. We highlight key obstacles—including ambient noise fluctuations, detection algorithm limitations, and subjective biases in manual review—and propose integrating probabilistic labeling, sophisticated spectral transforms, propagation modeling, and shared call libraries to enhance future monitoring efforts. Until such advances are realized, successful passive acoustic surveys will require blending automated tools with ecological context and human expertise.
(1) Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University, Kent Street, Perth, WA 6102, Australia (2) Centre for Whale Research WA Inc., PO Box 1622, Fremantle, WA 6959, Australia
ABSTRACT
Passive acoustic monitoring was conducted across Southern Australian waters (south of 27° S) to investigate the geographical and seasonal distribution of the elusive pygmy right whale (Caperea marginata). We developed a deep‐learning detector trained on spectrograms of PRW "doublet" vocalisations, validated by manual review, and applied it to 26 recording sites spanning the Great Australian Bight and adjacent eastern and western coasts. Seasonal patterns differed markedly between regions: on the western shelf, detections consistently peaked between July and November (with an anomalous early season in March-June 2012), whereas eastern waters exhibited more dispersed year‐round call presence, with pronounced peaks in 2012 (July-October), 2015 (March, May-June, August, November-December), 2016 (June-November), and 2017 (February). Co‐occurrence analysis of doublet and "spot" calls across 16 datasets revealed synchronized gaps and peaks, supporting the hypothesis that both call types originate from the same species. Our findings underscore region‐specific habitat use and seasonal migration of pygmy right whales and highlight the value of automated acoustic techniques combined with ecological context for monitoring cryptic cetaceans in data‐limited environments.
(1) CMST, Curtin University
ABSTRACT
Interannual decline in sounds from three baleen whale sub-species observed in the Indian, Southern and Pacific Oceans off the Australian coast have previously been observed and reported. These sub-species are the Antarctic blue (AB) whale (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia), pygmy blue whale of the eastern Indian Ocean population (PB EIO Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda), and yet unidentified whale producing the so-called "spot" calls. Based on recent observations and indirect evidence, the last species is believed to be the pygmy right whale. Frequencies of their calls have been shown to decline at different but consistent rates across years, except those from spot whales which transitioned rapidly from ~23 Hz to 28 Hz in 2006-2007 seasons. Results and conclusions of those previous measurements of call frequency were based on analysis of 10 to 15 years of acoustic recording, whereas new data of ocean noise measurements are now available. Furthermore, such analysis has not been made yet for fin whales visiting Australian waters. This paper presents results of analysis of frequency decline in the sounds from all four whale sub-species using data from 2002 to 2024. The new results demonstrate continuing interannual decline in sound frequency of 0.136 Hz/year for Unit I of Z-calls from AB whales, 0.365 Hz/year for the 3rd harmonic in Unit II of PB EIO whale songs, 0.228 Hz/year for the 90-Hz precursor of "20-Hz" fin whale pulsive sound, and 0.337 Hz/year for spot calls. Moreover, the steeper intra-seasonal decline in sound frequency of three whale species, AB, fin and spot call whales is also estimated, as well as the seasonal and interannual changes in the presence of sounds from all four whale sub-species in waters around Australia.
(1) Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University, Perth WA 6102
ABSTRACT
Australia's Sunset Coast has experienced rapid urbanisation over the past century, particularly around its metropolis Perth. Urbanisation affects natural landscapes, flora, and fauna with lasting impacts on biodiversity often realised and managed too late. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is a remote and cost-effective tool to monitor changes of an environment via its soundscape. We describe and quantify anthropophony, geophony, and biophony based on 1 year of PAM in three local realms: terrestrial (a banksia woodland near Gingin), aquatic (Mosman Bay in the Swan River), and marine (the Perth Canyon). In Gingin, insects dominated the soundscape (followed by anurans and birds), and in the Swan River, this was mulloway fish and crustaceans—all active over the summer months and showing strong diel patterns. Whale species dominated in the Perth Canyon (followed by fish), however more so outside of the summer months and with little diel patterns. Geophony was driven by wind and storms across the three realms. Anthropophony was strongest in the Swan River (boat noise). This study provides a holistic insight into the complexity and patterns of the southwestern Australian soundscape and lays the foundation for long-term monitoring and management of environmental change.
(1) Brigham Young University (2) California State University Bakersfield
ABSTRACT
During the past few years, orbital rocket launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) have increased nearly ten-fold from twenty years ago. As such, there are renewed concerns about the effects of launch noise on threatened and endangered species with critical habitats within VSFB. This talk provides an overview of an interdisciplinary research program to measure and model launch and landing noise on Base and to study responses of two coastal birds, the western snowy plover and the California least tern. Short- and long-term effects are being studied, from changes in vocalization to nest success. This presentation discusses launch noise environments and findings to date.
(1) Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, Western Australia
ABSTRACT
Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) offers a powerful, non-invasive tool for assessing ecological change across broad temporal and spatial scales. This study presents preliminary PAM results from an ecological thinning demonstration site in the Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) Forest of southwestern Australia, approximately two years post-thinning. Surveys were conducted across two control cells and four treatment cells to evaluate patterns in soniferous insect communities. Measures of the Bioacoustic Index were calculated across the characteristic frequency bands of two insect choruses to track the presence and intensity of these chorus types. Chorus activity varied spatially across treatment types, suggesting potential species- or guild-specific responses to thinning activities. However, the actual drivers of these patterns remain unclear, as baseline soundscape data were unavailable and species-level identification was not achieved. These findings provide a valuable foundation for future research aimed at disentangling the complex interactions between insect acoustic behaviour, environmental conditions, and forest management practices. Integrating insect bioacoustics into long-term monitoring frameworks may enhance our ability to assess ecological health, detect disturbance, and track recovery in forest ecosystems.
(1) CSIRO Environment (2) CSIRO, Museums Victoria (3) CSIRO, AIMS (4) CSIRO (5) CSIRO Health & Biosecurity
ABSTRACT
Over the last decade, ecoacoustics has quietly revolutionized ecological monitoring. Its applications range from tracking environmental changes to assessing the trajectory of threatened species and monitoring invasive animals. While multi-species call recognizers such as BirdNet are gaining traction, we believe their true potential remains underutilized: ecoacoustics offers a unique opportunity to track the dynamics of entire ecological populations over time.
We illustrate this with a project in Northern Australia, where we deployed SolarBAR continuous acoustic recorders across multiple habitat types for a full year. These recorders captured both invasive species and the bird communities affected by invasives and other threats. We detected over 150 bird species and identified distinct, site-specific acoustic communities. These communities shifted throughout the year, reflecting seasonal migration patterns and behavioral changes in call activity. However, despite dymanics in species call detections, multivariate analysis revealed that each site maintained a unique acoustic signature during any given period.
We argue that these acoustic signatures can be harnessed to track long-term ecological change in response to degradation or restoration. We also encourage ecologists and acoustic practitioners to move beyond a single-species focus and embrace the power of ecoacoustics to monitor entire assemblages and their dynamic shifts in real time.
(1) Sciences Dept, Museums Victoria Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia (2) Sciences Dept, Museums Victoria Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia (3) School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
ABSTRACT
While bushfire forms an integral part of the Australian landscape, the duration, size and timing of recent fires, including the 2019-2020 'megafires', is unprecedented. In this context, understanding the resilience of birds to fire is urgent and requires a landscape-scale approach. In 2021, we initiated the collection of ecoacoustic data in conjunction with standard survey protocols for birds (point-count transects) at more than 1400 sites within eight Ecological Fire Groups (EFGs) in Victoria. Within EFGs, sampling sites were stratified across post-fire growth stages and last fire intervals. Previous work indicated that 'listening surveys' of a small sample of the collected audio data identified more species in more sites when compared similar duration point-counts, but some species were only detected by one method or another. In 2025, we implemented the use of BirdNET (v2.4) to identify birds within all recordings at a site, detecting 71% more species in less time than our listening survey approach, improving reporting rates to enable modelling of 47% more species, and with fewer species detected by only one method. The combination of ecoacoustic data collection with multi-species classifier analysis allows a scalable and efficient approach to occupancy modelling of bird responses to fire within Victoria.
Regulatory Operations Division, National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority NOPSEMA, Perth, Australia.
ABSTRACT
The regulation of environmental management for offshore energy projects varies globally depending upon the legislation, regulatory frameworks, and the particular environmental values and sensitivities that may be impacted. Irrespective of any jurisdictional differences, the level of attention given to underwater noise impacts around the world continues to increase, reflecting a growing recognition of underwater noise as a complex and potentially significant environmental stressor.
In Australia, environmental regulation of offshore petroleum, greenhouse gas storage and renewable energy activities in Commonwealth waters is provided for under a number of pieces of different legislation, including the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021 (OEI Act), Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (OPGGS Act), and their associated regulations. This arrangement necessitates engagement and coordination among key responsible agencies, including the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) and the Offshore Infrastructure Regulator (OIR).
Among the many things that proponents and regulators need to consider during the preparation and assessment of environmental permissioning documents is whether environmental impact and risk predictions are adequately informed by scientific evidence and reasoning. Proponents also need to give consideration to Australian Government policies, relevant guidelines and standards for environmental management, and documentation relevant to matters protected under Part 3 of the EPBC Act. This includes demonstrating, with evidence, that activities will not be undertaken in a manner that is inconsistent with recovery plans for listed threatened species, such as the National Recovery Plan for the Southern Right Whale and the Blue Whale Conservation Management Plan. In situations where there is a threat of serious or irreversible environmental damage and scientific uncertainty is present, the proponent must demonstrate consideration and application of the precautionary principle.
Therefore, appropriate scientific rigour is important to reduce uncertainty, enhance confidence in environmental impact predictions and support better environmental outcomes. Enhancing knowledge through research on species (e.g. their habitat utilisation, behaviors and ecology) as well as foundational parameters that underpin tools used to make impact predictions (e.g. acoustic propagation models) has a key part to play in addressing these scientific uncertainties.
NOPSEMA and OIR have published a Research Strategy that promotes a collaborative approach to research that enhances environmental management of offshore energy projects. Examples of priority topics for research relevant to management of underwater noise impacts include improving baseline data on threatened and migratory marine mammals, investigating the noise levels and contextual factors that may trigger significant behavioural responses, and improving detection, monitoring, and mitigation techniques. DCCEEW funds research projects that inform environmental decision-making through the National Environmental Science Program (NESP). The DCCEEW Renewables Environmental Research Initiative (RERI) aims to deliver a suite of projects to support renewable energy proponents and environmental decision makers, including targeted research on threatened species, new and updated regulatory guidance, and other useful tools and data. There are also benefits and opportunities for proponents who invest in targeted research, as this has substantial potential to unlock greater efficiency, certainty, and flexibility in project planning and execution.
In Australia, environmental regulation of offshore petroleum, greenhouse gas storage and renewable energy activities in Commonwealth waters is provided for under a number of pieces of different legislation. This arrangement necessitates engagement and coordination among key responsible agencies, including the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) and the Offshore Infrastructure Regulator (OIR).
The presentation will outline the roles and responsibilities of these Australian government agencies in regulating environmental management of offshore energy activities. It will also provide a regulator's perspective on some of Australia's unique requirements for managing underwater noise impacts to threatened and migratory species, and outline key regulator-identified research priorities and initiatives being undertaken to enhance confidence in the evaluation and management of underwater noise impacts from offshore energy projects.
(1) The Cetacean Ecology Group, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia (2) The Cetacean Ecology Group, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia
ABSTRACT
Seismic air guns, used in offshore exploration, generate impulsive noise that may change how marine mammals acoustically communicate. For example, male humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) pro-duce complex, but structurally constrained, songs likely as a breeding display, yet the impacts of seismic air guns on song structure is unknown. This study investigated how the structure of humpback whale songs changed in the presence of air gun pulses. Five variables for song organisation and rate, two frequency variables, and song unit source levels, were measured in singing whales exposed to air gun activity and compared to singing whales that were not exposed. Preliminary results suggest that there were changes to variables of organisation and rate, and the frequency of some units of song. However, there was no indica-tion that unit source levels significantly changed. Interestingly, the structural changes here are similar to changes in response to nearby conspecifics. It is unclear if air guns are perceived as a noise source, or misinterpreted as a nearby conspecific, and how this perception affects song structure. These results demonstrate that more research is required on how and why singers change their song in different social contexts as well as how biologically important acoustic communication signals are affected by anthropogen-ic noise sources.Results showed that song cycle length decreased by approximately 10 seconds for every 1 dB increase in received level (RLSEL) above 135 dB re 1 µPa²·s. This reduction was primarily driven by a decrease in the number of phrases per theme, leading to shorter average theme durations. Other parameters, such as inter-call interval and phrase duration, did not show consistent changes across individuals, further supporting phrase repetition as the main driver of shortened song cycles. Notably, the effect of air gun exposure varied between themes. While most themes showed a reduction in phrase count and duration, two themes increased significantly in both measures.
These findings show that a transient anthropogenic noise source can reduce the duration and redundancy of humpback whale song. This may decrease the detectability of song by distant receivers while enhancing the display rate for nearby individuals. Furthermore, the observation that some themes are shortened while others are extended suggests that singers may interpret air gun pulses as socially meaningful cues. Ongoing work will explore whether similar song modifications occur in different social contexts, such as when a male joins a female, to determine whether singers perceive air gun pulses as conspecific signals.
JASCO Applied Sciences, Perth, Australia
ABSTRACT
There is global consensus that anthropogenic underwater noise represents a ubiquitous pressure to marine fauna, with an increasing number of studies seeking to understand both the short- and long-term impact of noise exposure on various species. As our understanding of the full extent of threats and pressure to marine fauna populations grows, so too does concern regarding the impacts and management of noise generating activities from offshore industries. Regulators, proponent and EIA practitioners for offshore industries are faced with the challenge of integrating new scientific understandings and increasingly complex impact prediction tools within existing regulatory and management frameworks. Often these management frameworks are based around standardised mitigation measures and set and forget management approaches. These frameworks are limited in their ability to be adaptable to real time information, and often blind to the nuances of operational and environmental context. While the level of environmental impact that is acceptable will vary between environmental and regulatory contexts, EIA and mitigation approaches are often based around demonstrating that impacts are reduced to a level that is as low as practicable and fail to demonstrate that impacts will be managed to achieve a specific environmental outcome. Over the past decade, the technical capability surrounding noise impact prediction has significantly evolved, this has occurred alongside a growing body of information to inform species distribution and habitat use. As our ability to predict the impacts and risks of underwater noise grows, it becomes increasingly evident that set and forget mitigation measures fall short in managing impacts to an acceptable level. This highlights the need for pragmatic underwater noise management frameworks that are sensitive to environmental and operational context and adaptive in their implementation. This presentation will discuss best practices in underwater noise impact prediction and management, including the design of fit for purpose adaptive management frameworks.
(1) Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University (2) Marine Science Program, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
ABSTRACT
Anthropogenic noise from seismic surveys, marine construction, and shipping poses an increasing threat to pinnipeds, including the Endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea). However, the auditory sensitivity of this species remains unknown, as direct hearing measurements are highly challenging due to its conservation status and predominantly wild population. This study presents the first predicted audiogram of the Australian sea lion, applying computed tomography (CT)-based finite element modelling to estimate hearing sensitivity across a broad frequency range (100 Hz-20 kHz in air; 100 Hz-40 kHz underwater). The modelled audiograms are broadly consistent with those of the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus), suggesting that California sea lion hearing data may serve as a reference for environmental impact assessments involving Australian sea lions. This work demonstrates the utility of CT-based finite element modelling as a valuable tool for predicting auditory sensitivity in marine mammals where direct testing is unfeasible. The results provide critical data to support noise impact assessments and inform conservation and management strategies for Australian sea lions and other vulnerable pinniped species.
(1) Centre for Audio, Acoustics and Vibration, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia (2) Defence, 506 Lorimer St, Fishermans Bend VIC 3207, Australia
ABSTRACT
Hydrofoils are subject to random pressure fluctuations due to the presence of a turbulent boundary layer (TBL) that forms due to incident turbulent flow. This results in unwanted structural vibration and noise that propagates to the surrounding environment. In this study, a passive control strategy is implemented to mitigate the vibroacoustic response of a fluid-loaded cantilever panel using shunted piezoelectric elements, in which a shunt circuit consists of a resistor and an inductor connected in series. A cantilever panel completely immersed in an infinite acoustic free field of water can be considered a simplified model of a hydrofoil. An analytical model of the underwater panel equipped with shunted piezoelectric patches is developed with the Rayleigh-Ritz method, and the random forcing functions due to turbulent boundary layer excitations are modelled with the wall pressure spectrum described by a semi-empirical TBL model. This analytical model of an underwater cantilever panel is verified against a finite element model that ingests uncorrelated wall plane waves targeted to the same wall pressure spectrum model. Finally, non-negative intensity, which identifies the regions on a vibrating surface that produce acoustic radiation to the far field, is evaluated at the surface of the panel to demonstrate the effectiveness of the control strategy.
(1) Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
ABSTRACT
Backpack vacuum cleaners are widely used in both domestic and commercial environments. As these machines operate in close proximity to the user's ears, their noise generation and control have become important concerns for acousticians and manufacturers alike. This experimental study demonstrates that flow-induced noise is the dominant contributor to the sound pressure level (dBA) experienced by operators. The rotating blades inside the vacuum chamber interact with the unsteady airflow along the entire flow path, generating both a narrowband blade-passing component and a broadband turbulent component. The former arises from blade-passing forces, while the latter is influenced by the acoustic and vibrational resonances of the chamber. Experimental evidence is presented to support these observations.
(1) Pliteq Inc., Toronto, Canada
ABSTRACT
This study investigates the effects of air stiffness in discrete isolation systems for concrete floating floors using theoretical modelling, small-scale lab testing, and in-situ testing. In the theoretical model, a two-degree-of-freedom analysis calculates air stiffness in parallel with a discrete isolator, which represents a fully unvented system. There is a significant increase in system natural frequency calculated when the system is considered unvented versus vented. Full-scale testing is done in-situ on a fully unvented floating floor system with discrete isolators. The system natural frequency measured in-situ agree with the theoretical model for an unvented system. Practically, floating floors are often installed neither fully vented nor fully unvented, but 'partially vented'. The air stiffness effects of vented, partially vented, and unvented configurations are analyzed through small-scale lab testing, showing partially vented systems still increase the system natural frequency versus the fully vented case. Applications include mechanical rooms, gym floors, amenity spaces, laboratories, medical facilities, and swimming pools where structure-borne noise and vibration are of concern to sensitive adjacencies. By confirming theoretical modelling with empirical data, this study provides tools to consider air stiffness in design.
(1) Hitachi Energy Sweden AB, Forskargränd 7, Västerås 72226, Västmanlands Lan, Sweden
ABSTRACT
A magnetic structure is a ring-shaped object composed of ferromagnetic material, designed to be positioned at the top and bottom ends of a transformer winding. Its primary function is to redirect a significant portion of the radial component of stray magnetic flux into the axial direction, thereby preventing the flux from approaching the tank wall. The radial component of the stray magnetic flux generates axial forces at the winding ends, which are the main source of winding vibration and consequent load noise. Thus, the MSR aims to reduce load noise by mitigating these axial forces. While the concept showed some noise reduction potential, but the simulation results were not significant enough to justify further development.
(1) E-LAB Consulting
ABSTRACT
Environmental noise prediction software packages are essential tools within the field of building acoustics to evaluate external noise impacts on a building envelope. While modern prediction software packages offer high levels of detail and flexibility, the relationship between input data resolution and computational performance remains insufficiently explored. This study examines how variations in key input parameters including building façade detail level, reflection order complexity, surrounding environment details, and sound source priority affect both execution time and prediction accuracy.
Practitioners often face the challenge of maintaining modelling accuracy within time and resource constraints. By systematically analysing how different parameters affect simulation runtime and result precision, this study aims to provide insights for optimising model setups. The findings presented correspond to the first phase of a broader investigation, focusing on SoundPLAN and a single project scenario. The results are intended to assist users in managing computational performance in facade noise mapping assessments.
School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
ABSTRACT
The standard coherence statistic provides a numerical value indicative of the causality between an input signal and an output signal, for a linear system, where there is a 1:1 relationship in the frequency of the input signal that causes the output response. However, in many systems the characteristics of the system has a frequency multiplication effect, such as a fan with blades, where the blade-pass-frequency is a multiple of the shaft rota-tion frequency. The use of the standard coherence for this type of system would result in a coherence value of 0. The n:m coherence algorithm addresses the non-linear frequency relationship and provides an estimate of the coherence.
(1) Centre for Audio, Acoustics and Vibration, Faculty of Engineering & IT, UTS, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
ABSTRACT
Conventional Continuous-Scan Laser Doppler Vibrometry (CSLDV) methods for Operational Deflection Shape (ODS) extraction such as lifting and polynomial techniques rely on frequency-domain processing through Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and analysis of spectral sideband peaks. These approaches face limitations under high noise conditions - including making measurements from vibrating platforms - where elevated noise floors prevent effective sideband identification. This paper presents a novel time-domain methodology that directly reconstructs ODSs from raw CSLDV signals, eliminating the need for manual spectral processing. After synchronising the scanning mirror galvanometers in the CSLDV to the vibrating frequency of the target, a kernel-based framework employing Gaussian weighted averaging is used to reduce the signal noise through inherent Time Synchronous Averaging properties. Experimental validation including under multi-axis shaker platform vibration confirms successful ODS reconstruction in noise and vibration degraded environments. For the first bending mode of vibration for a simple cantilever beam, agreement between the recovered ODS and an analytical model achieved a mean Modal Assurance Criterion (MAC) of 0.986 ± 0.007.
(1) Advitech Pty Ltd., Newcastle, Australia
ABSTRACT
Accurate and reliable estimation of sound pressure levels (SPL) for specific noise sources is critical for effec-tive environmental monitoring, community noise management and even regulatory compliance. This study pre-sents a novel deep learning-based framework that demonstrates the potential for high-confidence, low-error quantification of targeted source contributions in real-world settings. Leveraging a network of acoustic monitor-ing devices, skilled listeners reviewed data (recorded audio and 1/3 octave spectra) to classify and make de-termination of short-term (Leq) noise contributions for nine (9) noise source classes. Our method comprises three key components: (1) Expert-Annotated Event Analysis - acoustic specialists evaluate short-term LAeq contributions to each noise class; (2) Self-Supervised Pretraining, employing masked spectrogram reconstruc-tion on unlabelled field recordings to learn robust feature representations; and (3) Supervised Regression, fine-tuning a hierarchical convolution-transformers (MaxViT) model on paired spectrogram-SPL data to predict source-specific A-weighted SPLs for a specific dataset. On an independent test set, our approach determined noise levels with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.8±2.1 dBA (MAE ± std). These results highlight the potential of deep learning methods for precise, source-specific SPL estimation. Integration into automated noise-assessment dashboards and mobile monitoring platforms can provide real-time decision support to environmental acousticians and regulatory agencies.
(1) SLR Consulting Australia Pty Ltd
ABSTRACT
When ground-borne noise from trains cannot be measured directly, it can be estimated from train vibration spectra using appropriate adjustments. Representative train vibration spectra may be measured directly, modelled or derived from measurements elsewhere and adjusted to suit new conditions. The accuracy of train vibration spectra is an important 'stepping stone' towards obtaining accurate estimates of ground-borne noise. This paper investigates differences when analysing in-situ measurement data using peak-hold vibration spectra versus spectra when the unweighted or A-weighted overall vibration levels are a maximum. The potential differences on the outcomes of predicted ground-borne noise are studied based on four large data sets of train vibration measurements.
Matrix Acoustics Pty Ltd, Brisbane, Australia
ABSTRACT
The Kilde calculation algorithm is used in most of Australia. The algorithm is not particularly fast in the SoundPLAN software and probably haven't been optimised by the SoundPLAN developers in recent times as most of the word has moved to newer calculation algorithms for rail noise.
Changing the default settings in SoundPLAN is tempting to get SoundPLAN to calculate results faster. It is particular tempting to reduce the number of reflections for Lmax calculations as it could be reasoned or hypothesised that the direct line of sight or the noise path having only one reflection (rather than 2 or 3 reflections) is the noise path resulting in the highest noise level at a receptor point.
Noise modelling did however show that Lmax noise predictions with 0, 1, 2 or 3 reflections resulted in significant differences in predicted noise levels. Noise modelling will be undertaken for simple and complex geometries to further investigate the severity of changing the number of reflections. The LAeq predictions will likewise be investigated. Further analysis will be undertaken to determine if this observation can be attributed to the formulas outlined in the Kilde documentation or if this observation is a result of the implementation of the Kilde formulas in SoundPLAN.
SLR Consulting, Perth, Australia
ABSTRACT
Rail vibration damping is an emerging noise mitigation technology in Australia. Despite their proven effectiveness internationally, adoption rates of rail web dampers in Australia are relatively limited. This paper reviews the situations in which rail web dampers offer significant benefits, particularly where conventional noise controls such as noise walls are impractical. It presents empirical data on typical noise reductions, explores compatibility with Australian trackforms and maintenance regimes, and compares the material efficiency of dampers versus traditional noise barriers. The findings support broader consideration of rail web dampers as a viable, scalable, and cost-effective solution for railway noise control, especially on direct fix track and some specific ballasted track applications.
SoundBASE Consulting Engineers
ABSTRACT
To most people, Room 45-205 is a small nondescript tutorial room located within the Mansergh Shaw Building at The University of Queensland. However, to anyone who completed the undergraduate third-year subject MECH3250 Engineering Acoustics between 1999 and 2023, Room 45-205 was known as the location of the room acoustics experiment. As a result, Room 45-205 is likely to be the most tested non-laboratory space in Australia, with measurements made of the reverberation time, critical distance and reverberation sound pressure levels. This paper presents some of the challenges faced by students as they measured the acoustic response of the space, prepared a Sabine room model and predicted the critical distance following directivity measurements of a source in an anechoic chamber. The experimental results for consecutive years, obstinately obtained under identical conditions, are compared to quantify the variances that occurred and how they might impact upon an acoustician completing in-situ testing of a furnished space.
University of Technology Sydney
ABSTRACT
This paper presents a four-year longitudinal study of the subject "Embedded Mechatronic Systems," which has been redesigned using Generative Learning Theory (GLT) within a flipped classroom model, supported by studio and project-based learning. The subject aims to teach students principles of physical computations, including digital circuit design and embedded systems, to efficiently control sensors and actuators, including MEMS microphones, accelerometers, stepper motors, LEDs, and buzzers, and associated fundamentals of digital signal processing. To better integrate theoretical and practical components, a group project was introduced, transforming previously disconnected laboratory exercises into cohesive, collaborative experiences. Students now produce reflective reports and demonstration videos, fostering deeper understanding through self-explanation and peer interaction.
To monitor the effectiveness of these pedagogical changes, both qualitative and quantitative performance metrics have been systematically tracked across four academic years. These data reveal that hands-on, face-to-face learning environments, especially those emphasising self-testing and collaborative problem-solving, consistently yield higher learning outcomes compared to previously employed remote or isolated learning modes during C19.
In response to these findings, a structured assessment framework was introduced, including a 'Competency Threshold' to ensure foundational understanding and a 'Mastering Threshold' to recognise advanced proficiency. These thresholds provide clearer learning targets and support differentiated student progression.
The students' engagement with acoustic and vibration sensors, as well as their exposure to applied signal processing, prepares them for work in subsequent subjects, including Vibration and Control, Embedded Mechatronics Studio, or in other, more discipline-specific subjects such as Environmental Noise. Sensors used are implemented using industry-relevant microcontroller platforms such as the STM32 Nucleo series, with direct input and collaboration from industry partners. This integration follows foundational instruction in Digital Circuit Design, ensuring students are equipped with the necessary theoretical and practical skills to engage with modern embedded systems.
This paper outlines the evolution of the subject, the impact of pedagogical innovations, and future directions for further improving learning outcomes in mechatronic engineering education, and the introduction of vibration and acoustic sensors. The results demonstrate that combining flipped learning, GLT strategies, and real-world technology applications not only enhances student engagement but also bridges the gap between academic learning and industrial practice.
(1) University of Technology Sydney
ABSTRACT
Anechoic chambers are specialist yet foundational facilities in audio, acoustics and vibration valued for their precision and performance but limited in availability due to their unique design, high construction costs, and ongoing operational and maintenance demands. As industry interest in accurate acoustic testing grows, a gap remains between this demand and the readiness of accessible laboratory environments. This paper addresses that gap by presenting the capabilities and some example applications of the fully anechoic and hemi-anechoic chambers at the UTS Tech Lab facility at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). By summarising key per-formance attributes and highlighting use cases in product testing, research, and benchmark dataset creation, we aim to promote awareness and encourage professional utilisation through inter-university, industry, government, and multidisciplinary collaborations.
(1) Arup
ABSTRACT
In Victoria, the assessment of operational wind farm sound is usually undertaken using a regression approach based on NZS 6808:2010. This adopts a comparison of long-term operational sound levels against background sound levels measured prior to the construction of the wind energy facility (WEF) at various wind speeds, measured at sensitive receivers near to the site. Where no background noise levels have been measured or there are changes in the environment that may make background noise levels unrepresentative, it can be difficult to demonstrate compliance with required noise limits and assessment results can be inconclusive. On/off testing is described in NZS6808:2010 as an alternative assessment approach and relies on the wind farm being turned off for a short period to allow a short-term background noise level to be determined, against which the 'adjacent' operational noise levels are compared. However, the approach is not documented in detail in NZS6808:2010 and on/off testing is rarely undertaken in Australia. This paper describes a detailed approach to on/off testing that has been undertaken at a large WEF in Australia and outlines the key aspects of on/off testing which are recommended for conducting a meaningful assessment.
(1) SLR Consulting Australia
ABSTRACT
This paper examines the technical and regulatory inconsistencies in wind farm noise impact assessments in Western Australia, arising from trying to comply with both the South Australian Wind Farms Environmental Noise Guidelines and the WA Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 at the same time. Through comparative analysis of modelling methodologies and key parameters such as ground absorption, receiver height, and statistical noise metrics, the paper highlights how slight variations in assumptions or approach can significantly affect predicted outcomes. The influences of background noise measurement, seasonal variability, and wind profile conditions are also discussed. Drawing on experience from previous studies, the paper offers practical guidance to acoustic consultants, regulators, and developers to support consistent and technically robust assessments of wind farm projects across Western Australia. Based on the above, a simplified as-sessment method has been suggested to improve consistency in regulatory decision-making.
GHD Pty Ltd
ABSTRACT
Most wind farm analysis procedures, whether for background noise monitoring or compliance checking, involve collecting 10-minute blocks of data correlated with the wind speed measured at the hub height of wind turbines. The first step in data analysis is rectification, which excludes periods with rain, high local wind speeds, and extraneous noises. While filtering out data for adverse environmental conditions is straightforward and based on available precipitation and wind speed records, detecting data blocks affected by extraneous noises remains challenging. Listening to weeks of audio records is impractical, and there are no widely used procedures for automatically rectifying data affected by extraneous noises. This paper suggests a relatively simple method to detect data blocks significantly affected by extraneous noises. It involves computing the effective time for each block of sound pressure level time histories and comparing them with the effective time estimates of reference blocks. This technique was tested for wind farm data analysis and found to be a promising tool for data rectification.
(1) Department of Defence
ABSTRACT
This paper presents a study on vessel classification based on their underwater acoustic signatures. A hydrophone array was deployed on the seabed at Chowder Bay, Sydney and recorded underwater acoustic signals from various vessels. Of these vessels, four different ferries were targeted, and hundreds of their noise segments were selected and labelled for data classification. The time-domain signals were first converted into spectrograms, which were then classified using an image-based machine learning method: convolutional neural network (CNN). In the classification process, 77% of the data samples were used for training, while the remaining 23% were reserved for validation. The results show that pre-processing of spectrograms plays a critical role in the classifi-cation accuracy. The paper also examines the influence of pre-processing parameters on classification accuracy and computational efficiency. With appropriate pre-processing and model parameters, the proposed method achieved successful classification of ferry acoustic signals with an accuracy of up to 99%.
(1) CMST, Curtin University (2) CEG, Curtin University (3) Woodside Energy
ABSTRACT
Accurate detection and tracking of whales via acoustic measurements generally requires arrays of multiple hydrophones, deployed at the seabed and arranged in specific geometric configurations. The data recorded by these hydrophone arrays can then be used to resolve the time differences of arrivals (TDOAs) and to estimate the locations of the sound sources and their bearings. Whilst demonstrably effective, hydrophone-based moni-toring over large areas of ocean is often expensive and logistically challenging, and it typically does not pro-vide real-time information.
By way of contrast, underwater telecommunication cables, which have been deployed extensively over conti-nental shelves and often connect offshore industrial sites both to one another and to shore, offer a promising alternative. Dark (unused) optical fibres within these cables can be re-purposed for distributed acoustic sens-ing (DAS), effectively transforming cables into dense, continuous arrays of acoustic sensors.
In this study, approximately two months of DAS data were collected from a telecommunication cable that measures roughly 50 km in length and is located on the North West Shelf of Western Australia. The dataset revealed a range of low-frequency underwater sound sources, including natural seismicity, marine vessels, and great whales. This work focusses on assessing the capabilities of DAS in terms of detecting and tracking the vocalisations of great whales, estimating localisation errors for detections, and comparing detection rang-es to those of conventional hydrophone-based systems.
To enable source localisation, an adaptive acoustic beamforming technique was applied to segments of the DAS array, treated as sub-arrays of acoustic sensors. Most whale detections were successfully localised and tracked within a radius of 10 km from the cable.
This study demonstrates the potential of DAS technology, coupled with advanced data-processing methods, to provide near-time acoustic monitoring and source localisation when using existing subsea fibre-optic infra-structure.
(1) gfai tech GmbH, Berlin, Germany (2) HW Technologies, Sydney, Australia (3) GFaI e.V, Berlin, Germany
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT
Acoustic imaging systems utilising microphone arrays and beamforming algorithms are widely employed in
diverse fields, such as product development, environmental acoustics, sound design, and surveillance. Although
significant progress has been made in airborne sound detection, both in hardware and algorithms, underwater
acoustic localisation continues to pose unique challenges due to the complexity of sound propagation and
hardware constraints. This work presents recent advancements in underwater sound source localisation,
addressing both the theoretical and practical challenges. A hardware and software concept is introduced, and
measurement results are presented to demonstrate the system's capabilities and limitations. Potential
applications are discussed, alongside with perspectives on future developments in underwater acoustic imaging.
(1) Renzo Tonin & Associates
ABSTRACT
Noise from a construction site is driven by the active plant and equipment items, and the interaction between those items. Traditional construction noise assessments assume that all plant and equipment may operate concurrently. As a result, overly conservative and non-realistic predictions are often relied upon to inform environmental assessments.
In this paper, we introduce a framework for modelling a construction activity that considers the interaction between active plant and equipment items. This facilitates a quantification of the probability of each item being active on site.
The approach detailed in this paper utilises systems-based modelling to simulate the course of a construction activity to produce a probabilistic characterisation of activity sound power levels, instead of only a worst-case estimate. By providing a distribution of sound power levels for a construction activity, instead of a single non-realistic value, practitioners may optimise mitigation measures for realistic scenarios.
(1) The University of Western Australia (2) ALCOA
ABSTRACT
Conveyors are widely used in the mining and resources industry and are critical to the efficient operation of many facilities. Inspecting these conveyors, particularly for failed rollers, is a major task, with some sites dedi-cating entire maintenance teams to the process. A key challenge in automating conveyor inspection is the relia-ble detection of failed rollers. This study investigates the use of an acoustic imager for roller fault detection and proposes a novel detection method. Controlled testing was conducted in an anechoic chamber on both new and failed rollers to examine limitations associated with source localisation, multiple sound sources, frequency rang-es, and the directivity of roller noise emissions. The method was subsequently trialled on a trough conveyor at a resource facility stacking area and benchmarked against conventional inspection techniques. Results demon-strated enhanced detection sensitivity, with roller failures identified approximately 2.5 weeks earlier than by traditional methods.
(1) Acoustic Studio, Sydney, Australia (2) Novo Rail, Sydney, Australia (3) Transport for NSW, Sydney, Australia
ABSTRACT
Major infrastructure projects such as road and rail developments often need to be constructed outside standard construction hours, impacting on residential receivers who live nearby. In NSW, transport projects typically need to restrict the number of consecutive evening and night works if they exceed the target (Noise Management Level), plus they must offer "additional mitigation measures" including respite periods, vouchers and alternative accommodation when predicted construction noise levels exceed defined noise trigger levels. Construction noise prediction methods vary greatly in accuracy, and significant overprediction is remarkably common, due in large part to conservative estimates relating to concurrent plant use, plant type, and assumed location of plant. This can result in poor outcomes for both the project proponents and residents. The project proponent's costs for personal communications and providing respite or accommodation vouchers are higher than they should be. Out of hours works might not be approved, resulting in unnecessary extensions of work when the noise level is over-predicted although the works really do comply with the target. For the residents, we find that over time, they come to expect lower impacts than predicted and are more likely to reject additional mitigation offers for those times when high noise works actually warrant respite or alternative accommodation. This paper details how the independent acoustic advisor, project proponent, and contractor environmental and site management staff worked together to markedly improve the accuracy of construction noise predictions over the course of a three years, using a combination of prediction and monitoring methods alongside improved information pathways between the site manager and the environmental staff. A strong and open collaborative approach, along with trialling and requesting adaptations to new prediction and monitoring systems, led to a methodology that can be adopted from the start of a project and greatly streamline works approvals and offers of additional mitigation measures.
(1) WSP Australia Pty Ltd (2) WSP Australia Pty Ltd
ABSTRACT
Audible corona noise (ACN), a byproduct of corona discharge in high voltage (HV) transmission systems, is a potential source of community disturbance, particularly in rural and semi-rural areas with low ambient noise levels. Given that the Australian transmission network spans a range of climatic zones, understanding the influence of local meteorological conditions on ACN is essential for accurate prediction and effective noise management. However, existing ACN prediction methods are often based on empirical data from specific international climates, limiting their applicability to Australian conditions.
This study investigates the relationship between meteorological variables and ACN through field monitoring conducted over seven weeks at two HV transmission sites in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Sites were selected based on their susceptibility to ACN generating weather, with each location equipped with a weather station to capture relevant environmental parameters. ACN measurements were analysed alongside meteorological data to identify key influencing factors and validated against standard prediction methods.
The results highlight the significance of local environmental conditions on ACN generation, and recommendations are provided for developing the most suitable ACN prediction model specifically for NSW, Australia. The findings assist with the understanding of the meteorological conditions that generate ACN in NSW, Australia and provide confidence in selecting the most suitable ACN prediction model.
School of Geosciences, University of Sydney
ABSTRACT
Marine animals make extensive use of sound in an environment where vision and the effectiveness of the sense of smell are limited. Sound travels much further in water than in air for the same loss but the complexities of the environment limit the effectiveness of the ocean as a communication channel. Propagation of sound is very variable, especially in shallow water and there can be a wide variation in propagation loss to any range. Reverberation from multipath arrivals distorts the signals, increasing the difficulty of deciphering them. Ambient noise varies over a wide range and together with the variation in propagation loss, results in signal detection ranges commonly varying by at least a factor of 10. Marine animal sound reception is also affected by the sounds of other animals in the vicinity, especially conspecifics. They are effectively competing to be heard. This paper examines how these factors affect marine animal communication and sensing and considers the strategies that animals appear to use to deal with these limitations, drawing on examples from studies in Australian waters.
(1) Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University (2) Centre for Whale Research Western Australia Inc. (3) Australian Institute of Marine Science
ABSTRACT
Despite extensive datasets of passively recorded pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) sounds from the eastern Indian Ocean (EIOPB), a poor understanding of sound function inhibits our interpretations to primarily presence confirmation. To begin addressing this deficit we deployed sound and movement biologging tags on 5 pygmy blue whales off Western Australia between March and June 2025, including 4 at the Perth Canyon and 1 at Ningaloo. CATS diary and DTAG3 instruments were used, with sensors including hydrophones (96 and 120 kHz), triaxial accelerometers (400 and 250 Hz), triaxial magnetometers, pressure sensors, and thermistors (50 and 10 Hz). The tags were attached to whales with suction cups after dropping them from a SwellPro Fisherman MAX remotely piloted aircraft. Once tagged, whales were followed to collect contextual data including photo ID, body condition, social observations, surface behaviour, and biopsy samples. Pygmy blue whale vocalisations were recorded by the tagged individual or a nearby conspecific on three deployments, including grunt-like sounds made during social interactions and the EIOPB downsweep call from a solo animal. Dead-reckoned tracks were calculated from the tag sensors and known whale locations to enable accurate three-dimensional analysis of feeding behaviour. Feeding behaviour with high patch fidelity was observed in the Perth Canyon, while at Ningaloo a migrating whale was revealed to be feeding as it travelled, without disruption to horizontal speed or heading. The preliminary results presented here demonstrate the effectiveness of these high-resolution datasets to interpret EIOPB behaviour and communication.
(1) Centre Marine SCience and Technology, Curtin University (2) Centre Whale Research WA
ABSTRACT
Marine fauna operate in visually restricted waters with great efficiency, locating prey over distances of metres to seemingly hundreds of km, while navigating tens to thousands of km routinely. While they use a host of sensory cues to achieve this, acoustics offers biological or physical clues at all spatial scales. At the small, ~ 1 km scale, calls produced by individual invertebrates and fish can be localised by other fauna while in the deep ocean coherent whale signals can transmit to at least 180 km. Invertebrates, fish and whales commonly produce sound en masse, resulting in choruses which are routinely detected at km to tens of km, or at 1000's of km for deep sound channel ducted whale choruses. An example from sonabuoys is presented of a diffuse chorus like source in the 1.8 to 10 kHz band which appeared to emanate from Antarctic krill swarms and was detectable at the tens km scale. If produced by krill this noise would answer a question of how baleen whales locate krill and have implications for extended high frequency hearing in krill eating fauna.
(1) School of Engineering, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027 Australia (2) School of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
ABSTRACT
Acoustic sensing systems are essential for underwater surveillance and environmental monitoring; however, their performance can be significantly degraded by snapping shrimp noise in shallow coastal waters. These shrimps generate high-amplitude, broadband impulsive signals that complicate signal detection and classifica-tion. In this study, we investigate the statistical time-frequency (TF) characteristics of snapping shrimp noise to inform the development of more robust signal processing techniques. The Smoothed Pseudo Wigner-Ville Dis-tribution (SPWVD), a high-resolution TF representation, is employed to analyse individual snap events with pre-cise temporal and spectral localisation. Ridges are detected for each snap, and key TF features such as spec-tral centroid, bandwidth, ridge frequency, and TF entropy are extracted to characterise snap variability. Our findings reveal that shrimp snaps exhibit heavy-tailed, broadband spectral energy within sub-millisecond durations, consistently high entropy, and diverse TF structures. Ridge slope statistics show that most snaps exhibit negative slopes, reflecting downward frequency decay during bubble collapse rather than controlled tonal chirping. These insights highlight the potential of adaptive, TF-aware signal processing strategies to improve the robustness of acoustic sensing systems operating in biologically active environments.
(1) NDY (2) University of Auckland
ABSTRACT
Auralisation is a method of simulating real or hypothetical auditory environments as accurately as practicable. This study evaluates the plausibility of audio samples generated by the AiHear auralisation engine compared to binaural recordings captured in real rooms. AiHear is an auralisation tool created by NDY, which utilises the processing power of consumer-grade devices to make auralisations portable and accessible across a wide range of acoustic engineering applications.
The study's experimental design involved capturing audio recordings of speech and music samples from physical rooms using a head-and-torso simulator and generating corresponding simulations within the AiHear system. A survey of 30 participants was conducted, involving subjective listening tests to determine whether participants could reliably distinguish between recorded and simulated audio samples by assessing the plausibility of each. A second part of the study assessed the survey participants' impressions of the similarities, differences, and preferences towards real-room audio recordings compared to those modelled using the AiHear app. During the study, a recorded video of a real room was included to help listeners feel immersed and better assess the plausibility of the auralisations.
Results showed that participants generally struggled to correctly identify the AiHear simulations, although some differences were perceived between the simulated and real-room recordings. The study highlights that while exact replication of real acoustic environments is challenging, AiHear auralisations can achieve a level of plausibility that makes them difficult to distinguish from reality, supporting the use of the AiHear app as a valuable tool for auralising auditory environments.
(1) Resonate
ABSTRACT
Traditional acoustic reports often rely on decibel values and technical terminology, which many clients including architects, engineers, and building users find difficult to interpret. The Resonate AuralEyes project addresses this by developing a method for reproducing the sound insulation performance of partitions, doors, and glazing on headphones. The system allows clients to subjectively experience acoustic conditions through user calibrated audio files played over standard headphones, removing the need for specialist equipment or environments.
The core innovation is a calibration process using a reference recording of a human voice at one metre, which users adjust their playback volume to match. Subsequent audio files are scaled relative to this reference to maintain perceptual accuracy. The method was tested using various headphone models, validated through measurements and client feedback. Results indicate that the approach provides a sufficiently accurate and user-friendly representation of acoustic performance, improving client understanding and supporting more informed design decisions.
(1) School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, The University of Adelaide (2) Elder Conservatorium of Music, The University of Adelaide
ABSTRACT
Interactive acoustics virtual reality (AVR) environments of existing spaces provide a means for users to enhance existing spaces and reconstruct historical acoustics of spaces which have undergone modifications over time. These applications allow users to auralise the acoustical changes in real-time as materials are modified in the VR environment. Currently, there are very limited studies and applications on interactive AVRs. This is due to the time-consuming and labour-intensive process of collecting and processing acoustics and visual data for the AVR application. This project is aimed towards addressing this issue by building a robotic system based on Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM) algorithms that can autonomously and simultaneously collect visual and acoustic data of a space for rapid application development. This paper will discuss the motivations, overall framework, system architecture, hardware and software technologies, initial results on the characterisation and integration of robot platform, and data acquisition instrumentation. In addition, we will also discuss the future work aimed at collecting impulse responses autonomously.
ABSTRACT
In interactive situations involving humans and artefacts, systems may employ interface sounds to convey information or imagery to users. Examples include warning tones emitted when users perform inappropriate operations, or non-verbal acoustic feedback. These sounds are designed to enhance user experience by enabling rapid understanding and operation of the system, thereby improving usability and reinforcing brand image. Designing interface sounds requires consideration of auditory psychology, user experience, system constraints, and environmental context. Relying solely on the service provider's perspective risks insufficient user understanding and bias towards personal preferences. Therefore, an evidence-based design approach grounded in research findings is essential. The impression interface sounds convey to users must align appropriately with their intended meaning, taking into account environmental context (e.g., background noise) and user characteristics (e.g., elderly users). This paper focuses on describing a useful framework for defining acoustic design requirements.
(1) Renzo Tonin & Associates
ABSTRACT
Typical environmental noise assessments in NSW require the assessment of a realistic worst-case scenario. To satisfy this requirement, many quantitative noise assessments adopt worst-case assumptions about noise source location and operation. These multiple worst-case assumptions may lead to an unrealistic result, as some assumptions may not be possible when others are satisfied. However, it may not be immediately obvious which worst-case assumption (or combination thereof) should be held constant while relaxing other conditions.
To determine the potential range of noise predictions from construction sites, a systems-based modelling approach is presented where interconnected agents represent the varying position and operating conditions of noise sources. Consideration is given to how plant and equipment operation may adapt in response to certain events or other work activities. Using this approach, worst-case assumptions can be adopted as simulation rules alongside the dynamics of the site under investigation.
(1) Sydney Metro, University of Technology Sydney (2) Sydney Metro
ABSTRACT
Delivering a large infrastructure project in a CBD and high-rise urban environments presents significant challenges to the management of construction noise. Tolerance to construction noise varies vastly depending on whether nearby receivers are commercial, offices or residential. It is also influenced by the time of noise impact, duration, and any special characteristics of the noise, such as rock hammering or concrete saw cutting. Additionally, community expectations, ideological sentiment for the project or impact to property value can also be an influencing factor. This paper examines the adverse comment and incident history of a section of a major metro rail project in Sydney. This included the demolition of over 50 buildings, excavation of 15 km of twin tunnel and spoil removal, and the subsequent construction of 7 stations and over-station development at some locations. From this data, noise and vibration related issues have been extracted, analysed and compared with other environmental impacts. An outline of how the innovative project conditions of approval were developed is provided along with a discussion of community expectations, effectiveness of implemented feasible and reasonable mitigation measures, and some lessons learnt.
ANV Consultants Pty Ltd
ABSTRACT
Existing noise regulatory frameworks are critical in providing the statutory basis for environmental noise assessments. However, advancements in the scientific understanding of noise impacts, along with the development of updated international standards, have revealed growing gaps between local regulations and broader industry best practices. These discrepancies create challenges in delivering outcomes that effectively address complex noise issues and meet evolving stakeholder expectations.
This paper examines key areas where local policies diverge from best practice within a Western Australian context. Drawing on recent project experience across multiple sectors, it highlights how these misalignments can lead to regulatory uncertainty, stakeholder dissatisfaction, and missed opportunities for more scientifically robust noise impact assessment and mitigation outcomes.
The paper also presents practical strategies to navigate these misalignments and help close the gap, supporting not only statutory compliance, but also the achievement of positive environmental and community outcomes.
(1) Air, Odour & Noise Sciences, Environment Protection Authority Victoria
ABSTRACT
In the Civil construction building and demolition guide (CCBD guide, publication 1834.2), the Environment Protec-tion Authority Victoria (EPA) provides guidance to assist the construction industry in meeting their obligations under the Victorian Environment Protection Act 2017. These obligations include a general environmental duty requiring anyone engaging in an activity that may give rise to risks of harm to human health or the environment minimises these risks so far as reasonably practicable; and, specific to noise (including sound and vibration) an obligation to not emit, or permit to emit, unreasonable noise. In relation to noise and vibration management, the CCBD guide puts a strong onus on work scheduling, requiring justification for works that may be audible outside normal working hours. However, these requirements are not always well reflected in construction noise and vibration management plans. Also, construction projects sometimes rely on provisions extracted from documents from other jurisdictions with limited consideration of their relevance in the Victorian context. This can pose risks to both the well-being of communities and the project's reputation. This paper discusses key aspects of the management of construction noise and vibration under the Act and explores how misinterpreta-tions can be prevented.
Marshall Day Acoustics
ABSTRACT
Until recently the approach and framework for assessment of noise generate by licenced premises in NSW had been well established. A standard and consistent set of noise conditions was applied to venue licences to control entertainment and patron noise. In recent years the regulatory environment has shifted significantly, responding to a state government desire to enhance vibrancy in NSW by creating an environment for venues and artists to flourish. In 2023 changes were passed to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 to support the approval of outdoor dining on private land including registered clubs. In 2024 new legislation, the 'Vibrancy Reforms' were passed and subsequently amended, which designate Liquor and Gaming NSW as the lead regulator for noise complaints under the Liquor Act 2007. These changes removed control of noise from venues from local councils, and 'switched off' existing noise consent conditions from approvals. The reforms also enabled the establishment of Special Entertainment Precincts by local councils, with criteria developed for the specific area. As a result of the above changes there is confusion in the consulting community regarding the appropriate assessment approach for licenced premises. This paper summarises the changes and sets out a proposed assessment framework.
BEng Env, GradDiplEnvSc Monash, Acoustic Consultant, M.A.A.S.; Melbourne VIC 3008
ABSTRACT
The assessment had been conducted at the residential property situated in rural living area of country Victoria in relation to a recreational use of cross motorbikes on a private land adjacent to the assessment site. The aim of the assessment was to determine maximum LAmax dB noise levels inside of the affected residential property with open window during motorbikes activities. I argue that VIC EPA Publication 1826.4 Noise limit and assessment protocol for the control of noise from commercial, industrial and trade premisses and entertainment venues or VIC EPA Publication 1973: Noise guideline assessing noise from residential equipment cannot be used for determination of noise limits of the recreational activities on a private land but rather as an illustration of prescribed noise limits for Rural Living Zone of the Part I - Rural area method for determination of noise limits. The
results were compared with the AS2107:2016 Acoustic - Recommended design sound levels and reverberation times for building interiors as the best guideline. Also, VIC EPA Environment Protection Regulations 2017 and its General Environmental Duty which applies to all Victorians and all businesses located in Victoria. In addition, Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008, Victoria (2021) had been used to assess the local government obligations as the regulator of the use of motorbikes for recreational purposes on private land in its municipality. In the review of the local law most residents supported use of recreational motorbikes in rural living area. Following the review the local government issued general permits for use of motorbikes for recreational use not considering residents on individual circumstances. I consider that Council, as the local governing body, has responsibility to minimise as far as practically possible risk of harm to human health, including persons with disabilities diagnosed with autism, thus considering issuing permits on individual basis. My argument is that an autistic person affected by noise must be treated as any other person under Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (Victoria 2021) to protect his/her/they/them wellbeing right given by the law. The local governing body must act upon and change its law accordingly to reflect individual circumstances.
(1) SLR Consulting Australia
ABSTRACT
In Western Australia, approval of noise-sensitive development near transport infrastructure generally follows State Planning Policy 5.4 (SPP 5.4). Table 2 of the SPP 5.4 Implementation Guidelines presents the Noise Exposure Forecast (NEF) table, which provides a simplified method for estimating the level of transport noise exposure without requiring detailed modelling during early planning stages. However, limited detail is available on how conservative the NEF table is compared to actual noise levels. This paper reviews the performance of the NEF table by comparing its predictions to modelled levels and field measurements across the Perth metropolitan area. Results indicate that the NEF table is not always conservative as a preliminary screening assessment for the assessed scenarios. Recommendations have been provided to increase transparency and consistency.
(1) Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia; Australian Institute of Marine Science, Crawley, WA, Australia (2) Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia (3) Australian Institute of Marine Science, Crawley, WA, Australia
ABSTRACT
Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) offers a cost-effective, non-invasive approach to studying coral reef ecosystems, which are habitats rich in biodiversity but increasingly under threat. Recent advances in acoustic technology and analysis have improved our ability to interpret coral reef soundscapes, revealing how biotic and abiotic processes shape acoustic patterns across space and time. In this synthesis, we provide an integrative overview of current approaches to understanding coral reef ecology through soundscapes, focusing on how commonly used acoustic metrics reflect ecological attributes at individual, population, and ecosystem levels. We explore how habitat structure, species composition, and ecological processes influence these metrics and assess their validity as proxies for reef health and biodiversity. Drawing on case studies from Australian coral reef systems, we examine the ecological relevance of soundscape metrics by relating them to benthic cover and fish diversity and evaluate how species-specific signals—particularly snapping shrimp snaps and fish calls—shape spatial and temporal variability in the soundscape. We also identify key challenges in PAM interpretation, including signal overlap, propagation effects, and the need for sound source identification. While PAM holds promise as a complementary tool to traditional ecological monitoring, its effective application depends on metric standardisation, validation against ecological baselines, and integration with other datasets. We conclude with practical recommendations for improving the robustness and interpretability of PAM in coral reef conservation, including sensor deployment strategies and methodological harmonisation.
(1) AIMS@JCU (2) Curtin University (3) JCU (4) AIMS (5) Sound Ocean Science (6) UQ (7) Donana Biological Station CSIC
ABSTRACT
Passive acoustic monitoring is a promising technique that can be used to monitor the acoustic profiles of communities and how they change over time. In underwater coral reef communities, the sounds generated reflect various animals producing sound for communication and is driven by behaviours such as feeding, mating, and other interactions between individuals. Disturbances, natural and anthropogenic, that affect the biological community may also generated a detectable acoustic response. For example, such as removing or introducing keystone species can change community composition, potentially for the worse. We investigate bluestreak cleaner wrasses (Labroides dimidiatus) known to positively affect coral reef community composition to understand if their presence is associated with distinct acoustic profiles.
Our study examined recordings from a series of experimental patch reefs in the Lizard Island lagoon, northern Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Eight patch reefs ranging in area from 43 to 179 m2 were included in this study, five patches where bluestreak cleaner wrasses has been removed at three-monthly intervals for 22 years, and three patches where bluestreak cleaner wrasse populations have not been manipulated. Soundscapes on all patch reefs were recorded simultaneously using ST300STD and ST600STD SoundTrap digital acoustic sensors (OceanInstrumentsNZ) between 16 and 20 March 2023. The acoustic sensors were set to record for 5 minutes every 15 minutes (i.e. five mins on, followed by ten mins off), at a sampling frequency of 48 kHz. We compared sound pressure levels; the root-mean-squared sound pressure level and peak sound pressure level, acoustic indices; Acoustic Complexity Index, Acoustic Entropy Index, Acoustic Diversity Index, Bioacoustic Index, and Normalized Difference Soundscape Index, and counts of shrimp snaps; Threshold snapping shrimp Snaps, and the Patch Size-Normalized snapping shrimp Snaps between time of day (dawn, day, dusk, and night) on patch reefs.
We found that the presence of bluestreak cleaner wrasses influenced patch reef soundscapes, but that also time of day, between site differences and their interaction were important predictors of sound pressure levels, acoustic indices, and counts of shrimp snaps. Fish activity was elevated during dusk transition periods, with the greatest activity was observed during dawn. In contrast, snapping shrimp were most active during dusk and night. Patch reefs with and without L. dimidiatus were separated in Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling Plot based on the measured factors. The variables that contributed to the most distribution among the patch reefs data were Entropy Index, Acoustic Diversity Index, and Patch Size-normalized snapping shrimp Snaps.
These findings would support the view that each individual patch reefs appeared to have characteristic soundscapes. There are multiple potential pathways for bluestreak cleaner wrasses to affect the local soundscape, even if there is no evidence that they contribute directly. Bluestreak cleaner wrasses provide a service to inhabitants of the local patch reef and influence the community assemblage. This change in community composition either through health benefits to the client species or through the increased recruitment of fish larvae to the patch reef may affect the presence and abundance of soniferous species. The ability to autonomously detect differences in community composition or habitat quality as a result of community change holds great potential for monitoring changes in condition or restoration performance. But also highlights the current limitation of this method is a lack of understanding about the causal pathway that links the species presence/absence to the specific acoustic differences and the importance of selecting compatible spatiotemporal scales at which to examine ecological events such as keystone species in the soundscape.
(1) Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia (2) Marine Mammal Foundation, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
ABSTRACT
The Burrunan dolphin (Tursiops australis) is a critically endangered species endemic to southeastern Australia.
Its two known resident populations, in Port Phillip Bay (PPB) and the Gippsland Lakes (GL), occupy acoustically
complex, highly urbanised habitats. Relying heavily on sound for communication, navigation, and foraging, understanding the Burrunan dolphin's acoustic ecology is vital for developing effective conservation strategies in the
Anthropocene. This study characterised the Burrunan dolphin vocal repertoire through analysis of 12,973 acoustic
signals collected 2016-2023. Six whistle classes and four burst-pulse sound classes were identified, with significant regional variation observed. Signature whistles (SWs), recorded in GL 2021-2024, revealed 22 distinct contours. While individual matching to 57 photo-identified dolphins was inconclusive, SWs aligned with sighted social
groupings. Further, a nine-station passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) array throughout PPB (2020-2023) produced over 300,000 five-minute recordings, enabling the first assessment of PPB's soundscape. Sound source
classification and long-term average spectrograms (LTAS) revealed seasonal and diel variation. During the
COVID-19 'anthropause', LTAS and power spectral density analyses showed declines in recreational boating and
altered temporal activity, while shipping remained stable. Dolphin acoustic detections appeared resilient, yet continued anthropogenic noise exposure underscores the need for regionally informed conservation management
(1) Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, Western Australia (2) Australian Institute of Marine Science, Crawley, Western Australia (2) Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Bentley, Western Australia
ABSTRACT
Aggregations of vocalising fish characterise and often dominate Australian underwater soundscapes. These continuous calling events are known as fish choruses and are produced in association with particular life functions of the respective fish source species. Over 300 fish choruses have been detected across Australian marine and estuarine waters and have subsequently been described in the Australian Fish Chorus Catalogue (AFCC). However, a comprehensive analysis of the spatiotemporal distribution of the AFCC choruses and the number of unique fish chorus types recorded within the catalogue has not yet been conducted. In this study, publicly accessible AFCC records were analysed to examine broad-scale patterns in the spatial, temporal, and spectral characteristics of Australian fish choruses. A combination of manual identification and clustering analysis was also applied to AFCC spectral records to estimate the number of fish chorus types recorded in the catalogue. Australian fish choruses were widely distributed across a myriad of aquatic habitat types with significant variation evident in the temporal distribution and spectral characteristics of these choruses. This study estimated that over 100 unique fish chorus types have been identified within the AFCC. Several fish chorus types demonstrated potentially significant geographic distributions, warranting future ground-truthing efforts to identify the source species. This study demonstrates the value of regional sound libraries as foundations for addressing large-scale ecological questions. The AFCC provides a scalable framework for passive acoustic monitoring that can support biodiversity assessments, habitat mapping, and conservation planning.
(1) UWA, AIMS, Oceans Institute (2) AIMS (3) AIMS, Curtin University, Oceans Institute
ABSTRACT
Passive acoustic monitoring is being increasingly explored as a scalable, inexpensive tool for ocean monitoring, with proposed use-cases such as identifying ecosystem changes over the long-term to inform management and policy. While recent meta-analyses have shown a moderate positive correlation between acoustic indices and biodiversity, generalised, accurate biodiversity metrics are difficult to obtain from soundscapes. Understanding the factors driving soundscapes and the outcomes from derived metrics is important to be able to effectively utilise acoustic indices for environmental monitoring. Few studies have explored multi-site monitoring over longer periods with marine soundscapes. Short-term recordings may not contain enough information to overcome potential variability, such as could be found between sites, lunar phase, times of day, temperature, or seasons. We explore multi-site monitoring using recordings over several months, and one site over a year, applying clustering and multi-variate analysis to soundscape code metrics in order to show the influence of various factors on ecoacoustic outputs. Initial results from these analyses demonstrate that intra-site variability can be greater than inter-site variability, even when some factors are accounted for. Many studies are designed to examine sound characteristics based on inter-site variability with short-term recordings, leading to potentially spurious results if ecological drivers are not included.
(1) Australian Institute of Marine Science (2) Scotland's Rural College (3) Curtin University
ABSTRACT
Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) can capture information on biological, anthropogenic and geophysical sources at temporal scales from seconds to decades and spatial scales from metres to ocean basins. In combination with recent technological advances, reduced cost of application, and a greater global appreciation for the importance of sound to aquatic life, these benefits of PAM as a sampling technique have led to substantial increases in its application in the aquatic realm. Semi-confined water provides a useful arena for testing and characterising the utility of PAM to study marine fauna and their responses to anthropogenic activities. The Swan-Canning River system in southwest Western Australia is one such environment. Here, a handful of soniferous fishes (including mulloway; Argyrosomus japonicus), snapping shrimp, a community of approximately 20-25 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) and Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea) can be found at various times. Further, with more than 65,000 vessels of ≤7.5 m length and 8,500 vessels of >7.5 m length registered in Perth, the Swan River also experiences significant vessel noise. Over the last two decades, monitoring and technical PAM projects in the Swan River have provided information on the call characteristics, distribution, abundance, and behaviours of fish (e.g., Parsons et al. 2012, 2013), dolphins (e.g., Mar-ley et al., 2017a, 2017b), vessels (Parsons et al., 2020, 2021), and even planes in the air, and trains on land (Erbe et al., 2018), as recorded underwater. The Swan River soundscape is characterised by biological sounds, particularly from a small selection of species that use acoustic cues in vital life-functions. However, anthropogenic noise that disrupts natural behaviours and reduces communication spaces is ubiquitous, highest in the downstream regions of the river, coinciding with space used by the fish, invertebrates, and mammals. To improve conservation practices, it is, therefore, necessary to record baselines and understand the noise budgets at key locations to assess future developments or additional vessels along the river.
REFERENCES
Erbe, C., Williams, R., Parsons, M., Parsons, S.K., Hendrawan, I.G., & Dewantama, I.M.I. 2018. 'Underwater noise from airplanes: An overlooked source of ocean noise'. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 137, 656-661.
Marley, S.A., Salgado Kent, C.P., & Erbe, C. 2017a. 'Occupancy of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in relation to vessel traffic, dredging, and environmental variables within a highly urbanised estuary'. Hydrobiologia, 792, 243-263.
Marley, S.A., Erbe, C., Salgado Kent, C.P., Parsons, M.J., & Parnum, I.M. 2017b. 'Spatial and temporal variation in the acoustic habitat of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) within a highly urbanized estuary'. Frontiers in Marine Science, 4, 197.
Parsons, M.J., McCauley, R.D., Mackie, M.C., Siwabessy, P.J., & Duncan, A.J. 2012. 'In situ source levels of mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) calls'. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 132(5), 3559-3568.
Parsons, M.J., McCauley, R.D., & Mackie, M.C. 2013. 'Characterisation of mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) advertisement sounds'. Acoustics Australia, 41(3).
Parsons, M.J., Duncan, A.J., Parsons, S.K., & Erbe, C. 2020. 'Reducing vessel noise: An example of a solar-electric passenger ferry'. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 147(5), 3575-3583.
Parsons, M.J., Erbe, C., Meekan, M.G., & Parsons, S.K. 2021. 'A review and meta-analysis of underwater noise radiated by small (< 25 m length) vessels'. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 9(8), 827.
(1) SoundBASE Consulting Engineers (2) Dedicated Acoustics
ABSTRACT
The location of gyms within residential, commercial, educational and medical buildings usually requires impact generated noise from the gym to be mitigated to ensure that amenity of the building's occupants is not compromised. To facilitate this outcome, standardised guidelines for testing have been prepared by organisations such as the Institute of Acoustics and Association of Australasian Acoustic Consultants. Those guidelines contain assumptions about the usage of free-weights and equipment in a gym. To determine whether those assumptions are valid, a review of impact noise sources within a gym has been completed from the perspectives of a weight lifter, power lifter, bodybuilder, cross-fitter and long-term gym user. In-situ test results demonstrate how the choice of impact source results in a different outcome with respect to whether an adequate level of impact noise isolation is achieved or not.
(1) Marshall Day Acoustics (2) Megasorber Pty Ltd
ABSTRACT
Fabrics and textiles are commonly used as decorative facings, for light control or as interior design elements. However, apart from fabrics designed for acoustic purposes, reliable acoustic data for textiles is often not available. This places acoustic designers in a position of not understanding the acoustic properties of the textile, or restricting selections to textiles with known performance, which may rule out textiles that are aes-thetically desirable but do not have acoustic data. This paper compares predicted and measured absorption coefficients for fabrics using transfer matrix theory, commercially available software packages, full laboratory tests and measurements of absorption using a small reverberation chamber to evaluate the accuracy of en-gineering methods for predicting or measuring textile sound absorption.
(1) Resonate Consultants
ABSTRACT
This paper presents the outcomes of an investigation into the transmission of airborne music noise into struc-tural vibrations to assess the likelihood of vibration levels being able to cause structural or cosmetic damage in particularly sensitive buildings. The study had the objective of assessing potential risks to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building and its heritage-listed fabric, including both cosmetic and structural elements. The building, constructed in the late 19th century, retains much of its original form, with construction methods characteristic of the period. Vibration measurements due to airborne music noise were conducted dur-ing live amplified music events. Results demonstrate a strong correlation between elevated internal sound pressure levels and increased vibration amplitudes, particularly in the low-frequency range. These findings underscore the potential for music-induced vibrations to pose risks to fragile decorative elements, such as historic murals. The study provides an evidence-based evaluation of this specific heritage context and offers insight into the broader implications of amplified music events and pragmatical monitoring strategies in similar settings. Conclusions are drawn regarding risk thresholds and potential alternative management strategies.
PKA Acoustic Consulting, Sydney
ABSTRACT
Lightweight floors that involve prefabricated joists / cassettes, and even massive timber can achieve high acoustic performances when designed effectively. However, the typical single figure impact rating "Ln,w" hides more than it reveals.
Experienced acoustic consultants analyise the frequency spectrum from 100 Hz to 5000 Hz when designing acoustic sensitive floors.
However with lightweight constructions, the low frequencies (below 100 Hz) are key when clients and occupants aspire the floor system to "match conventional concrete" in terms of acoustic performance.
This presentation will briefly explain the North American standard (ASTM E3207) for low frequency impact ratings. Tested lightweight floor constructions will be compared with conventional systems, providing working solutions to improve the acoustic quality for future Australian floor systems.
(1) School of Architecture, Design and Planning, The University of Sydney, Australia; Institute for Hearing Technology and Acoustics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany (2) School of Architecture, Design and Planning, The University of Sydney, Australia (3) School of Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
ABSTRACT
This study examines retroreflection - sound reflections directed back towards the source - in three historic stepwells in Bundi (India) using field measurements. Originally built for diverse purposes such water storage, bathing grounds, and religious rituals, these subterranean stepwells represent significant examples of architectural heritage of the Indian subcontinent. The stepwells were selected for their potential in terms of retroreflection due to a relatively dense collection of simultaneously visible concave trihedral corners. Previous studies of stepwell retroreflection were based only on computational models, without real world verification. On-site measurements were conducted at Dhabhai Kund, Nagar Kund, and Baba Meer Kund using sinusoidal sweeps reproduced from a loudspeaker collocated with the microphone. Numerous source-receiver positions were selected in each stepwell. The derived impulse responses show evidence of retroreflection from the cascade of steps at high frequencies. However, the retroreflected energy level is weak relative to retroreflective building facades previously studied. Nevertheless, these results suggest that retroreflection may have plausibly contributed to anecdotal reports of unusual acoustic experiences in stepwells. These fascinating buildings provide some of the most extensive exemplars of acoustic retroreflector arrays.
(1) Trinity Consultants Australia
ABSTRACT
The current available approaches for predicting a range of road traffic noise level indicators rely solely on linear regression models that use LA10(18H) as an input variable. However, a crucial correlation between LA10(18H) and other important indicators (such as LAeq parameters) is missing from the literature. These indicators are often required to be assessed by regulatory authorities, such as the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and Transport for New South Wales. This paper extends the prediction scope of regression models to include important indicators such as LA10(12H), LAeq(15H), LAeq(9H), Max|LA10(1H)|, Max|LAeq(1H)|, and Max|LAmax|. The study also incorporates additional road traffic factors as input variables and compares the performance of several machine learning regression methods, including Random Forest, support vector regression, ridge regression, linear regression, and multilayer perceptron. The principal conclusion is that Random Forest consistently yields the lowest prediction error across all indicators, with improvements ranging from 20% to 40% compared to the current linear regression approach. Furthermore, averaged indicators perform best when using LA10(18H), annual average daily traffic, average traffic speed, and the percentage of heavy vehicles as input variables, while maximum-based indicators additionally require the road pavement type. Finally, the R-squared values for the different noise level indicators reach up to 98%, indicating a substantial enhancement in the accuracy of noise level predictions.
(1) UTS (2) UTS, EPA (3) EPA
ABSTRACT
Increased urbanisation, population density and vehicle ownership, coupled with the known impacts to human
health and wellbeing, necessitates the need for effective management of the associated noise from road traffic.
Increasingly, local and state government departments are exploring the use of recently developed noise camera
technologies to assist with the process for noise mitigation. Carefully defined trials, both field and lab-based, will
be required to evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of the equipment and the operational resources needed
to use the noise camera technology for such regulatory purposes. This paper will review the current state-of-the-
art in: noise camera technologies, especially looking into differences between conventional and more
contemporary noise measurement devices and associated signal processing approaches; the relevant and
associated standard for calibration of the individual (arrays of) devices within the solution, as well as at the system
level itself, including in particular determination of the localisation of the source; recent examples of deployment
in other regions and contexts including challenges and successes. Ultimately, the intention of this review is to
inform the development of a methodology for the lab-based assessment of excessive vehicle noise cameras in
this context.
NSW Environment Protection Authority
ABSTRACT
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is leading on a roadside noise camera trial in the Bayside and Wollongong Council areas to deliver on the NSW Government's election commitment in response to com-munity concerns about noisy vehicles and noisy driving behaviour.
Roadside noise cameras are an emerging form of technology designed to detect noisy vehicles and capture video and audio evidence. The trial is an election commitment by the NSW Government to evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of the technology and will be used by the EPA to make recommendations on if and how roadside noise cameras could be used to address the problem of noisy vehicles and anti-social driving behaviour.
Work commenced on the trial in late May 2023 with the trial anticipated to conclude in December 2025.
Wood Plc.
ABSTRACT
Noise disturbance can cause serious damage to public health. Traffic noise can be constant on roads with high traffic flows resulting in physiological effects due to stress and sleep disturbance. One of the more practical methods for traffic noise control is to disrupt the transmission path between the source and the receiver using methods such as acoustic barriers. However, in urbanised areas, the implementation of barriers is impractical due to the limited space. This paper presents alternative methods for traffic noise control by exploiting the acoustic ground effect which results in destructive interference between the direct waves travelling between the source and receiver and the reflected waves from the ground on an area between a main road and a row of residential dwellings. The introduction of a porous ground surface between the source and receiver allows for the destructive interference minima to occur at lower frequencies than for an acoustically rigid surface thereby allowing for passive mitigation of acoustic signals. The frequency at which this occurs can be readily controlled via the implementation of model impedance surfaces such as periodically-spaced roughness. This paper provides details of a study undertaken to explore the potential benefits of periodically rough surfaces for traffic noise mitigation.
(1) WSP Australia, Brisbane (2) WSP New Zealand, Christchurch
ABSTRACT
Aircraft noise remains a significant environmental concern, particularly in urban areas experiencing growth in air traffic and residential development near airports. This study investigates the acoustic impact of individual aircraft events on a modern Australian home located under a flight path. Using synchronised indoor and outdoor measurements, the study quantifies both the noise level and character of aircraft flyovers, with a focus on assessing the attenuation provided by the building envelope—specifically, a standard bedroom setting.
The results highlight the variability in noise transmission depending on aircraft type, flight trajectory, and take offs and landings. Analysis reveals that while modern homes offer some reduction in peak noise levels, certain frequency components and tonal characteristics persist indoors, potentially affecting occupant comfort and sleep. The paper provides detailed spectral and temporal data to support assessment frameworks for aircraft noise impacts. Additionally, it offers practical guidance for planners, acousticians, and policymakers involved in residential development near airports, emphasising the importance of tailored building design and noise mitigation strategies. These findings contribute to a more informed approach to managing aircraft noise exposure and support the development of effective noise assessment criteria for homes in aviation-affected zones.
(1) SiteHive (2) UTS (3) JCGJV
ABSTRACT
Monitoring ground-borne noise (GBN) from construction activities in urban environments poses significant challenges. Microphone-based approaches are often compromised by ambient noise, poor signal-to-noise ratios, and difficulty distinguishing ground-borne from airborne sources. Furthermore, the requirement under the NSW Interim Construction Noise Guideline to assess internal noise levels at the centre of the most affected habitable room is both intrusive and operationally complex.
Estimating GBN indirectly from vibration data provides a practical alternative, but traditionally requires expert interpretation, limiting its suitability for long-term deployment.
This paper presents the design and field validation of a low-power, non-intrusive vibration monitoring system developed by SiteHive to estimate GBN in real time. The system applies an adjustable vibration-to-noise transfer function consistent with regulatory guidelines and enables continuous monitoring through a live dashboard accessible to construction teams. The transfer function can be refined using attended measurements or community feedback.
We describe the system's hardware and embedded signal processing design, the cloud-based estimation workflow, and present results from field deployments on active tunnelling projects. Our findings demonstrate that the system can reliably estimate internal GBN levels, offering a scalable, compliant, and less intrusive monitoring solution for managing construction impacts.
Curtin University
ABSTRACT
Understanding and modelling of attenuation and dispersion of elastic waves in fluid-saturated media is important for a range of disciplines that utilise seismic, acoustic or ultrasonic waveforms and amplitudes. A major cause of elastic wave attenuation is viscous dissipation due to the flow of the pore fluid induced by the passing wave. Wave-induced fluid flow (WIFF) occurs as the passing wave creates local pressure gradients within the fluid phase and the resulting fluid flow causes internal friction until the pore pressure is equilibrated. The fluid flow can take place on various length scales. Wavelength-scale fluid pressure relaxation between peaks and troughs of a passing wave is known as global or macroscopic flow as described by Biot's theory of poroelasticity. WIFF caused by spatial variations of matrix or fluid properties on a scale much smaller than the wavelength but much larger than individual pore size is known as mesoscopic flow. Most common manifestations of the mesoscopic attenuation is WIFF between pores and fractures, or between patches of the medium saturated with different fluids. Pore-scale WIFF, known as local or squirt flow occurs between more compliant voids (cracks, grain-to-grain contacts) and relatively stiff pores. When the medium is compressed, much greater pressure builds up in compliant than stiff pores, resulting in the fluid pressure gradient, fluid flow and dissipation. A similar mechanism causes very substantial seismic attenuation in media saturated with viscoelastic substances such as heavy oil or bitumen. In the lecture I describe the physical nature and experimental evidence for each mechanism, and outline a consistent approach that quantifies all these phenomena.
(1) Centre for Audio, Acoustics and Vibration, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia (2) Laboratoire Vibrations-Acoustique LVA, INSA-Lyon, Villeurbanne Cedex, F-69621, France
ABSTRACT
Stiffened structures such as the fuselage of an aircraft or the hull of a ship are subject to flow-induced vibrations due to its relative motion with the surrounding fluid and formation of a turbulent boundary layer that excites the stiffened structures resulting in unwanted vibration and noise. Additionally, periodic stiffening introduces the well-known phenomenon of Bloch-Floquet waves that interact with the flexural waves of the host structure. In this investigation, an infinite panel loaded by water on one side and subject to a wall pressure field of a turbulent boundary layer is periodically stiffened with beams that are inspired by acoustic black hole (ABH) theory. It is shown that the stiffened panel's vibration and noise can be mitigated by manipulating the geometric design of the stiffeners such as tapering the edges of the beam accordingly to ABH theory. To investigate the effect of the design of ABH beam stiffeners on the vibroacoustics of its host panel, an efficient hybrid analytical procedure is presented where the structural dynamics of an ABH stiffener is modelled with finite element method and coupled periodically to an analytical model of an excited infinite panel. Finally, the ABH-stiffened panel's vibroacoustic response is compared against an equivalent case involving stiffeners of typical cross sections.
(1) SLR Consulting Australia Pty Ltd
ABSTRACT
The vibration effects of impact piling in Australian conditions are not widely documented in existing literature. Vibration measurements were conducted in an eastern suburb of Sydney where precast concrete piles were driven into the ground using a hydraulic impact piling method. This paper extracts useful vibration characteris-tics, such as crest factor, peak particle velocity, number of impacts and dominant frequencies which may be used in analytical piling models. An empirical piling vibration versus distance model is presented as well as min-imum working distances useful for a building cosmetic damage screening assessment. It was found that a min-imum distance of 36 m and 14 m are required for residential and industrial type buildings, respectively. An addi-tional prediction model for determining required drop heights, distances and ram weight required for compliance with selected vibration velocity thresholds, such as those in British Standard 7385 Part 2 and German Standard DIN 4150 Part 3 is presented also.
(1) Platforms Division, Defence Science and Technology Group, 506 Lorimer St, Fishermans Bend VIC 3207 AUSTRALIA
ABSTRACT
Effective acoustic impedance matching is essential for high-performance underwater acoustic systems. This study introduces a novel multi-layered material system having a tailored acoustic impedance gradient, which is designed to balance interface transmission with depth-wise attenuation. Each layer of the system comprises an elastomeric polyurethane matrix in which a combination of hard particles and gas microspheres are embedded. This enables precise control over the acoustic impedance transition between layers. Experimental characterisation—including density, sound speed, and acoustic performance across a suitable frequency range—demonstrates successful impedance matching to water in the initial layer and enhanced attenuation performance in subsequent layers. The experimental results show strong agreement with theoretical models, demonstrating the material's effectiveness in sound absorption and acoustic wave control. This work represents a significant advancement in acoustic material design for underwater applications.
(1) The University of Adelaide (2) Saab Australia Pty. Ltd
ABSTRACT
Bellhop is a widely used underwater acoustic ray-tracing model, but its 1990s Fortran core imposes legacy constraints including half-space simulations and single-frequency absorption. We identify and correct a key numerical issue in the ArrMod.f90 module that prevented negative-range propagation, enabling single-run full-space simulations without separate half space runs. In addition, we extended Bellhop's single frequency ab-sorption to broadband application by post processing along individual ray trajectories at lower computational cost. Validation against analytical solution shows agreement in both positive and negative ranges and accurate frequency-dependent attenuation. These improvements simplify Bellhop workflows and provide a more general-ised volume attenuation solution.
Ocean Acoustics Associates
ABSTRACT
A seafloor half-space consisting of either a fast, absorbing fluid, or an elastic solid with fast shear speed, may be expected to be nearly totally reflective for plane waves incident at grazing angles less than critical. However, for a seafloor with a fast fluid layer over an elastic basement with fast shear speed, sound incident at angles less than critical may undergo high reflection loss for certain circumstances, as has been shown in prior work. This paper reviews the relevant theory and shows how the two zones of high loss may be identified through considerations of impedance. Some new developments of the analysis are shown. These include a simplification which may be used to more readily identify one of the zones of high loss. Where possible, the new aspects of this analysis are illustrated with reference to prior work.
(1) Centre for Audio, Acoustics, and Vibration, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia (2) Platforms Division, Defence Science and Technology Group, Australia
ABSTRACT
Flow-induced anthropogenic noise is a significant problem in marine environments that is created when a marine vehicle encounters turbulent flow. The interaction between the leading edge of an elastic hydrofoil and the incident turbulent flow causes vibrations in the structure. These vibrations can, in turn, create noise that radiates to the far field. This paper aims to predict the vibroacoustic response of a hydrofoil caused by an incident turbulent flow. This work is performed computationally using the finite element method to model the vibroacoustic propagation. The uncorrelated wall plane wave method is combined with Amiet's theory of modelling the incident turbulent flow as a sum of harmonic gusts for calculating the surface pressure jump across the upper and lower surfaces of the hydrofoil. The present method is initially verified for a fluid-loaded thin plate in turbulent flow, demonstrating a good match with analytical results. A method by which the singularity in the gust transfer function at the termination of the leading edge can be avoided for surface pressure calculation will also be presented. Finally, an elastic cantilever hydrofoil submerged in water will be excited to investigate the magnitude of the vibration and the radiated sound power under various flow conditions.
(1) Defence Science and Technology Group, Australia
ABSTRACT
Estimating the source level of a vessel requires measurements of the received sound pressure level at the receiver and then adding the propagation loss (PL) from the source to the receiver. Accurate estimation of PL requires consideration of sea-surface reflections. The measurement method in the international standard ISO 17208-2 includes simple analytical models for estimating PL in deep water. A limitation of the ISO Standard is the assumption of flat sea-surfaces and thus ignoring the effects of sea-surface roughness, which can be significant at higher frequencies. This paper explores options to include the effect of rough sea surfaces, which scatter sound into coherent and incoherent components. In addition to the well-known Lloyd's mirror effects from coherent interference, a simple analytical expression was proposed to account for the incoherent components. The results from the analytical expression matched closely with ensemble averaging from numerical integration of the Helmholtz-Kirchhoff integral in the literature. The proposed analytical formula provides a simple method to include the effect of rough sea surfaces and can be easily incorporated into the ISO 17208-2 standard measurement methodologies.
(1) School of Built Environment, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (2) City Futures Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
ABSTRACT
With the acceleration of urbanization and the popularization of apartment living, noise from neighbours has become an increasingly prominent issue. In particular, noise generated by children's activities such as crying, shouting, jumping, running, etc. has emerged as one of the more challenging concerns, raising ethical questions about balancing children's right to activities with residents' right to quiet. To achieve this balance and to develop fair and inclusive architectural acoustics standards, it is essential to assess the current approaches to managing child-related noise in apartment buildings. This study used the PRISMA method to systematically review English-language journal articles published between 2000 and 2025. 21 empirical studies on child-related noise within apartments were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria after screening titles, abstracts and full-texts. This study is the first systematic review of methods for measuring and assessing child-related noise in apartments. It identifies two main approaches: objective methods (field measurements and acoustic stimuli) and subjective assessments (social surveys and psychoacoustic experiments). Based on this, an assessment model integrating acoustic, individual, social, and contextual factors is proposed to support accurate noise evaluation, improved acoustic design, and effective management of child-related noise.
(1) School of Architecture, Design and Planning, The University of Sydney, Australia; Institute for Hearing Technology and Acoustics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany (2) School of Architecture, Design and Planning, The University of Sydney, Australia (3) Built Environment, Turku University of Applied Sciences, Turku, Finland (4) Institute for Hearing Technology and Acoustics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
ABSTRACT
This paper summarises findings from a cross-sectional study of acoustics conducted over three years (2016-2018) in a diverse sample of open-plan offices across Australia. Activity noise was measured during working hours in 43 offices, while room acoustic measurements were conducted in 28 of these spaces. An occupant survey (n = 349) was also administered. Median activity noise levels (LA,eq) were 53.6 dB (range: 48.28 - 58.83), with a spectral slope of approximately -4 dB/octave (16 Hz to 16 kHz octave band center frequencies). Noise levels were relatively consistent across variables such as work activity and surface area, but differed substantially between offices with and without carpeting. Room acoustic metrics, calculated according to ISO 3382-3, indicated that many offices lacked sufficient sound absorption and/or physical barriers. A combined analysis of survey responses, and metrics based on activity noise and room acoustic metrics showed that privacy (visual and acoustic) was a stronger predictor of overall acoustic dissatisfaction than noise disturbance. Among activity noise metrics, LA90 and N90 were useful predictors of dissatisfaction; however, ISO 3382-3 metrics were stronger predictors overall. In particular, room acoustic metrics based on speech level decay (Lp,A,s,4m and rC) outperformed distraction distance (rD) based on the speech transmission index. Reverberation time was a poor predictor of occupants' perceptions overall. Notably, occupants in medium-sized offices reported greater acoustic dissatisfaction than those in larger spaces (≥50 occupants). Acoustic dissatisfaction also varied significantly with ceiling height, number of workstations, and years of experience, but not with the type of office layout (fixed vs. activity-based). These results underscore the complexity of characterising acoustic environments in open-plan offices and suggest directions for refining current evaluation methods.
(1) Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
ABSTRACT
The south-coast of Western Australia is home to a number of cryptic threatened birds for which the only practical approach to population monitoring is by use of acoustic methods. Djimaalap, the Noisy Scrub-bird (Atrichornis clamosus), is one of these species and an index of the population has been derived from mapping territorial males since the mid-1960s when the species was rediscovered at Two Peoples Bay. This work relies on the human observer, with walked census routes maximising the chance of recording a male singing to defend his territory, which gives an index of population size. Monitoring Kyloriny, the Western Ground Parrot (Pezoporus flaviventris), is more challenging with this species occupying remote and difficult to access areas of coastal heath on the south coast. Combined with peak calling periods restricted to the hour before sunrise and the hour after sunset, improving our capacity to use bioacoustics tools to understand trends and distribution of this species is essential. While the methods used to monitor trends vary for the two species, the different techniques used are providing robust estimates of population trends, landscape occupancy and response to management interventions including translocations. We will share some of the lessons and advances in bioacoustics monitoring of these two iconic south coast birds, including what these data are telling us about the status of these species and success of translocations. We also consider both the utility and limitations of the different acoustic monitoring approaches in terms of ensuring efficient investment in long-term monitoring programs that rely on bioacoustics.
(1) Biota Environmental Sciences (2) Rio Tinto Copper
ABSTRACT
The discovery of a novel population of Night Parrots, including an individual with a distinctive call, allowed tracking of that individual across an acoustic monitoring array spread over a wide area of the western Great Sandy Desert. This included an overnight movement of over 50 kilometres between roosts. We present details on the distinctive call structure of the individual Night Parrot, its seasonal movements, the habitats it has used and its roost fidelity through time. We also reflect on the current best practice guidelines for Night Parrot detection and monitoring in the context of our results.
(1) Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (2) Murdoch University (3) Wattle Grove Vet
ABSTRACT
Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, highly intelligent birds native to northern Western Australia, are attempting to establish a population on the Swan Coastal Plain. Their presence along the plain raises concerns, as they have the potential to become noisy pests and may compete with native black cockatoos for feeding and roosting sites. In response, a collaborative team has launched a monitoring program to map their distribution and estimate population numbers across the region.
Surveillance has been underway for over a year, using acoustic recorders to detect the birds and monitor their activity at known locations. Based on public reports and sightings, the program has been progressively expanding. To streamline data processing, a recogniser developed by QUT has been implemented to analyse recordings from 20 Bar-LT acoustic recorders deployed across the Swan Coastal Plain. This tool has achieved a high detection accuracy of over 90% for Sulphur-crested Cockatoos.
Complementing the acoustic data, the program also employs 4G-enabled cameras and movement tracking. The project is ongoing and continues to test and refine the recogniser under varying environmental conditions and background noise levels, with the goal of accurately mapping the presence of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos in the region.
(1) Department of Ecological Plant and Animal Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia (2) School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
ABSTRACT
The semi-arid mallee woodlands and shrublands of the Murray-Darling depression bioregion are internationally recognised as important for bird conservation. The area supports a unique bird assemblage, with many endemic species. The mallee bird community (and many of its constituent species) is recognised as Endangered. The compounding impacts of habitat destruction, altered fire-regimes, and climate change are pushing this ecological community toward extinction. Unfortunately, effective conservation management has been hampered by logistical constraints associated with the cost of monitoring in the remote areas inhabited by this community. Recent advances in eco-acoustics, particularly the development of open-access platforms allowing users to train deep-learning bird call recognition models, provide a way forward for bird conservation in this landscape.
Here, we outline call recognition models trained for 20 species which make up the threatened mallee bird community, we describe the development of condition metrics derived from acoustic data which provide managers with a measure of the health of the mallee bird community at a given location, and report on baseline community condition at sites across the mallee. We provide a reference against which future impacts on the community may be measured and provides a foundation for adaptive management of the threatened mallee bird community.
(1) WSP Australia Pty Ltd (2) ANV Consultants
ABSTRACT
A marine geophysical geotechnical survey was commissioned for a major port development on the coast of Perth. This extended abstract presents the findings from a noise monitoring field trial of the marine seismic refraction survey element of that survey and compares the results to those of the desktop literature study.
(1) Curtin University
ABSTRACT
Underwater noise from marine vessels is a significant contributor to the underwater soundscape. The state government of Western Australia (WA) is developing a new port in Kwinana, which is expected to increase shipping activity in Cockburn Sound, a sheltered marine embayment off the west coast of WA. The acoustic characteristics of the pilot boat Genesis, a small vessel that frequently operates in Cockburn Sound, were extracted from a one-year soundscape study originally conducted for the Western Australian Marine Science Institution. Of the nine recorders deployed around Cockburn Sound in the original study, Genesis frequently operated near the recorder that was situated near the Kwinana Grain Terminal. Pattern-of-life analysis revealed that in the vicinity of the recorder, Genesis was primarily stationary or operating at high speeds (20-25 kn), with limited activity at intermediate speeds. After correcting for source-receiver range at the closest point of approach (CPA), the measured median broadband source level was 170 dB re 1 Pa. One-third octave spectral analysis revealed that at speeds above 15 kn, the frequency bands below 200 Hz produce the highest source levels. Variability was high, particularly at the lowest and highest frequencies, with a weak correlation between noise levels and speed. The variability in received noise levels was attributed to environmental factors and the semi-displacement characteristics of the monohull vessel. This study developed a repeatable methodology that could be applied to other vessels that recur repeatedly in the same dataset (e.g., the four tugs that regularly operate in Cockburn Sound), expanding the current understanding of noise generation by small vessels and quantifying their contributions to the local soundscape.
(1) Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University, Bentley Western Australia (2) School of Earth and Oceans, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Western Australia, Australia (3) Australian Institute for Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Fairway, Crawley, WA
ABSTRACT
An M4 wave energy converter (WEC) prototype was deployed by the University of Western Australia's Oceans Institute and Marine Energy Research Australia in King George Sound, off the coast of Albany, Western Aus-tralia in summer 2024-2025. The 24m long floating, hinged WEC was deployed in 13m of water, with a chain catenary mooring. To understand the contribution of the wave energy device to the underwater soundscape, underwater sound was recorded before and during a trial deployment of the M4 by a Sound Trap ST200 de-ployed on the seafloor at a range of 150m. The ST200 was deployed six times over the period February to April 2025. For each deployment the ST200 was set to sample sound at 288 kHz with a duty cycle of 50% (30 min on/30 min off). Preliminary analysis of the underwater sound recorded indicates noise made by the M4 was found to be mainly between 200 and 1000 Hz. Future work will aim to quantify the source level of the M4.
(1) ANV Consultants (2) CMST
ABSTRACT
Fireworks displays are a common feature of many celebrations and events due to their captivating visuals and loud, explosive sounds. However, the resulting sound waves may have adverse effects on the hearing of nearby people, as well as on terrestrial and marine animals. This paper investigates the propagation of sound waves from fireworks through the air into the water column and assesses their potential impacts on wildlife.
The study focused on fireworks events at Shelley Beach and Elizabeth Quay in Western Australia, using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Sound propagation was modelled as a 3-layer environment (i.e. air-water-sediment) representative of conditions at Shelley Beach and Elizabeth Quay. The long-term baseline noise levels were recorded based on passive acoustic monitoring (PAM), and the long-term spectral average and power spectral probability density were calculated. These metrics were used to evaluate changes in the soundscape before and after the fireworks event. Additionally, the received sound levels were also compared with the known hearing and behavioural response thresholds of various animal species to assess potential noise impacts.
Environmental Water and Wetlands Coordinator, Goulburn Broken CMA, Shepparton, Australia
ABSTRACT
Acoustic monitoring within the Goulburn Broken Catchment was initiated in 2008. During this period, Professor Stuart Gage visited the region and conducted a comparative analysis of acoustic indices in orchards surrounded by native vegetation versus those lacking such environments. This study ignited the concept that acoustic methodologies could be employed to monitor wetland responses to environmental water allocations. At that time, Victoria was experiencing the unprecedented millennium drought, which was anticipated to mirror future climate change scenarios projected for 2050. Environmental water was a relatively new concept and had never been
monitored in such a way.
Four Sony minidisc recorders were strategically positioned at a swamp on the day of an environmental water allocation delivery. At 1:00 am the following morning, the call of a lone common froglet was recorded, symbolising the swamp's revitalisation. Initially envisaged as a two-month project, the study extended over two years encompassing two additional environmental water deliveries between 2008 and 2010. The data procured from this project provided researchers with unparalleled insights, documenting the presence of species that had not been previously recorded at the swamp. This information has subsequently informed future water allocation strategies in the area and has become a cornerstone in the management of swamps within the Goulburn Broken Catchment.
Currently, environmental water deliveries within the catchment are routinely monitored utilising acoustic recorders, continually generating novel data. This initiative has also spurred additional projects, including a Statewide monitoring program for frogs in wetlands, citizen science endeavours, and ongoing wetland listening programs. Furthermore, acoustic monitoring in the Goulburn Broken Catchment is contributing valuable data to a Traditional Owner 'Biocultural Plan' within the Taungurung Registered Aboriginal Party lands. What commenced as an exploratory project has significantly enhanced wetland site management and is now fostering collaboration among Traditional Owners, the general public, and natural resource managers within the catchment.
(1) College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia (2) College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia; The Aerobiome Innovation and Research Hub, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia (3) Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Fujian Key Laboratory of Watershed Ecology, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
ABSTRACT
Soil ecoacoustics is an emerging field and suite of tools that use acoustic and substrate-borne vibrations to characterise belowground biological activity and ecological processes. Integrating approaches from bioacoustics, biotremology, and soil science, this framework offers a minimally invasive means to investigate soil communities and assess soil health. Despite rapid progress, key challenges remain—particularly in understanding how soil properties affect sound propagation, distinguishing biotic from abiotic signals, and developing standardised methodologies. Here, we outline the potential of soil ecoacoustics to advance knowledge of belowground ecosystems and propose its use as a powerful, non-invasive tool for soil health monitoring and management.
Centre for Marine Science and Technology, School of Earth and Planetary Science, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
ABSTRACT
This paper considers how underwater acoustics as a discipline has evolved over the last several decades and how it is likely to evolve in the future. The focus is on the Australian context, as that is where the bulk of the author's experience lies, but many of the influences and issues are global. This paper is intended to promote discussion, particularly with regard to the future evolution of the field.
National Institute for Public health and the Environment
ABSTRACT
The EU funded Equal-Life project, part of the European Human Exposome Network, employed the exposome concept in an integrated study of multiple exposures in relation to a child's development and mental health over their life course. The exposome, the totality of exposures from conception onwards, is emerging as an approach to studying the role of the environment in human disease. The Equal-Life project is exemplary for this trend, studying the long-term and cumulative effects of combined environmental and social exposures early on in life in an integrated and multidisciplinary way - bringing together researchers from different disciplines and different scientific languages to work towards a common goal.
The project typically used a mixed method research methodology, combining non-targeted and targeted analysis on big data sets and smaller scaled tailored in-depth studies with more qualitative approaches. The project explored several noise models with high granularity, validated a propagation model (outdoor/indoor) and explored a set of noise indicators relevant for sleep, stress and restoration as part of the exposome. Also, a review was prepared of noise indicators from different sources to predict non-auditory health-effects in children. Exposure data at a high spatial and temporal resolution was used and combined physical and social aspects to attempt to examine how these exposures influence mental health and cognitive development of children at different ages and developmental stages. Data was used from almost 250.000 children in Europe from eight large birth cohorts and three cross-sectional school studies. Non-targeted machine learning techniques on single and combined data sets (meta-analysis) and structural equation models (SEM) on the pooled harmonised data were used. This keynote will summarise the key findings of the project with specific focus on environmental noise.
Acknowlegdement
This research was funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 874724 (Equal-Life). Equal-Life is part of the European Human Exposome Network. Gratefully acknowledging the work of the Equal-Life Scientific and supporting team, the External Advisory Board and the External Ethics Board
https://www.equal-life.eu/en/
https://www.humanexposome.eu/
Wild Sanctuary Charter Member, International Society of Ecoacoustics
ABSTRACT
Life-affirming soundscapes - the original organic narratives and audio signals from the living world - have been a primary source of information since receptive organisms first detected acoustic signals 550m years ago. What began and developed as splendid proto-orchestrations of melody, structure, rhythm, and texture, has devolved as a result of human endeavor into a chaotic and incoherent din of human noise.
Biophonies - the collective sound produced by all organisms in a given habitat - began at the inception of or-ganic life and speak to the viability of habitat health. As time progressed to the present, we are now forging a giant cross-fade whose trajectory posits a future where natural sound disappears into an infinity of disquiet - one where humanity becomes overwhelmed by the presence of another strange signal - the sole reverberation of its own manifestation. It is an inflection point, a scenario that swells to a giant crescendo before fading out into dead silence as all the life force that powered it ceases to exist if we are not very careful.
This program will trace the history and power of natural soundscapes as they speak with their own special voice to the viability of the planet and ways to preserve it from decline primarily through the combined lenses of the environmental sciences and the fine arts whose languages we must learn to hear if we are to thrive.
DHI A/S, Biodiversity and Ecology Team, Department Offshore Wind Environment, Hørsholm, Denmark, frth@dhigroup.com
ABSTRACT
Offshore wind is expanding worldwide, including in Australia, where the industry is still emerging. Over 25 years, Europe has shown that underwater noise from surveying, construction, operation, and decommissioning can affect marine life from mammals to fishes and invertebrates. Policy has evolved from fragmented mandates to more
science-based regulation, though international methodologies remain poorly standardised. The EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive represents one attempt to address impacts at the ecosystem scale. Research has shifted from descriptive studies to more quantitative approaches, yet population-level effects remain uncertain and will likely require multi-pressure frameworks. Innovation has advanced mitigation technologies and monitoring tools, but the 'animal's perspective' is still underappreciated: effective management must begin with the sensitivities of the animals themselves.
(1) Acoustic Studio Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia
ABSTRACT
This paper is a reflection on the state of the art of rail project noise and vibration impact assessment in Australia.
It begins with a simple question - "is our system working?". Asking this type of big-picture question leads to
discussion on aspects the Australian acoustic industry is doing well, and where there are areas for improvement.
(1) Department of Physics and Astronomy, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
ABSTRACT
SpaceX's Starship Super Heavy is the most powerful launch vehicle ever flown, intended to return humans to the moon and reach Mars. After measurements of three test flights (Flights 5, 6, and 9), this paper summarizes the measurements and briefly discusses launch noise and booster flyback boom characteristics. With a planned launch cadence to rival that of the Falcon 9, Starship's noise characterization is critical to determining its impacts and its place relative to other launch vehicles and noise sources. This paper accompanies an Acoustics 2025 plenary talk.